Reaching for the Stars

by Irish Pirate Queen

See Radiant Gardens 8 years prior to its destruction through eyes of those who loved it most. Ansem the Wise, His Apprentices, a young woman working along side Braig, and a little girl who is the daughter of the King. RP done by two friends, Read/Review!

2. Day 2

AN: 'Reaching for the Stars' is a story that focus's on our two OC's Zuga and Miya, beginning before Birth By Sleep. In our RP that is 8 years prior. There is going to be a huge array of characters and alot of the settings and characters are our own take on them.

Just so you know... Italics are SDL's posts and regular is IPQ's posts

Also... please don't flame... lots of work has been put into both our characters so they aren't Mary Sue... we love them dearly and we want you guys to love them too.

WARNING:FOR THOSE WHO KNOW NOTHING OF KINGDOM HEARTS BIRTH BY SLEEP THIS RP MAY CONTAIN FORMS OF SPOILERS FOR YOU! SO DON'T BLAME US FOR A SURPRISE... YOUR WARNED!

Zuga (c) SandDragonLanayru .com/
Miya (c) IrishPirateQueen .com/
Kingdom Hearts (c) Square Enix & Disney

final fantasy (c) Square Enix

AN2: Day 2 up, this is a really fun one with alot of awesome faces appearing... so read and review please!

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As the darkness of night enveloped around the quaint, comfortable city, Zuga sat in the confides of her room, lounging on the bed with her unwavering gaze set on the reflection of herself on the vanity. Her eyes slid over her features, still not accustomed to how presentable and clean she looked. It wasn't like she had ever been this way before. Master Xehanort had supplied her with sleeping attire, as Braig had been out and about for quite some time, too busy to do much about her sudden need of civilized things.

The whole situation was so surreal. She wondered if it was all truly happening. Then, she would look down at her chest and see the wishbone dangling from her necklace and her heart would make a painful thump in her ribcage and she would confirm that this was no dream. This was reality and she had to cope.

Coping meant blending in. So far, only her appearance looked slightly native. The clashing necklace was odd in apparel, for from what Zuga had seen from her window, the females wore no bones. No one wore bones, just like Master Xehanort had said. It puzzled her some, for such objects were revered back in the swamps as bragging rights, building materials, clothing, and currency.

Her most contrasting feature though was definitely her voice. The people talked differently here. They had these things called 'long vowels' that Zuga had never pronounced before. Master Xehanort had said that in her tongue, Braig's name would've sounded like "Brauhg." They even said her own name with a funny accent: without the silent "k." sound. Not like she complained. It kind of sounded better their way than that of her own. To this she snorted with a slight smirk. The culture was rubbing off on her, it would seem.

She was tired. Thus, she was rambling idle things to herself. She wanted nothing more than to sleep forever, but orders were orders. She'd have to learn how to talk some day. Sitting up she ran her hand through her now dry hair, nearly shocked as the first time when she felt no knots or burrs. Sighing to herself, she gave her image on the solid-water a sympathetic stare. How long had it been since she had used her voice? A couple days at least. There was nothing to say, usually. Her say was never considered anyhow for she was nothing more than a useful asset. A tool, maybe? Some saw her in a different light than that, but it was the closest thing she could compare to.

'Where do I start?' she wondered, falling back onto the cushions. Her hand reached under them to caress the handle of the daggers she had hidden underneath. Clucking her tongue, she groped and raked her mind for words to practice that she was to get used to saying. Not being able to get one, she decided just to murmur the Radiant Garden's way of saying the alphabet under her breath.

So she laid there, staring at the ceiling with half-lidded eyes as she slowly said each letter and their respective sounds, as there sometimes was more than one. The drawling trance was enough to eventually make the woman lull herself to sleep, and her hand eased on the hilt of her dagger until it was peacefully resting next to her completely unconscious head.

She was roused many times by unfamiliar noises in the night, but was too tired to care and always fell right back to sleep by murmuring words to soothe herself into ease. And even when the pale streaks of dawn leaked through the silky, thin curtains, she rolled over and ignored that too. These people did not hunt. There was no need to wake up so early. If they needed her, they would fetch her.

Soon though, she could no longer ignore the bright sun of day as it shined heavily into her room. Bleary and groggy, she sat up. Nostalgia suddenly overtook her as she realized she felt no remorse for not waking back in the place she had called home, nor for feeling any desire to return to the place called home. A heavy weight seemed to stifle her as she thought this. It was like betrayal almost. A quick shake of her head erased such thoughts as quickly as the motion itself. With much effort, she hopped out of the plush bed, her fingers pressed to her forehead. Her steps were light and feathery as she went out into the hall, as she did not wish to wake anyone if they were still asleep.

Her sense of direction led her down to the food place where she looked around, wondering if she was even allowed to go about in getting something for herself. For what seemed like hours, she stood there, mulling over the question while drumming her fingers on the counter tops. Blinking, she shrugged to herself. No harm would come of trying. If it was wrong, so what? The problem was she was hungry and no one was up to feed her. That was her legitimate excuse, and with her hopefully sturdy ability actually talk somewhat correctly, it wouldn't be hard to explain such a problem. Finding the conflict resolved, she went about in poking through the room, her inquisitiveness taking over again as she came across strange, alien tools. Her mind tried to recall where Braig had gotten the stuff to make her that cold meal from yesterday. The idea of eating something cold made her shudder and she recoiled at the thought.

'I need something warm . . . ' she sighed mentally, swinging open the small handled door's. A large one of these held an assortment of things, and she shifted through each with the utmost, delicate care, making sure to put it back exactly as it had been before. Her attention caught onto a bag-like container. Its surface wasn't cold, so she assumed it to be better than a cold-cut. Now to see if she could open it. When she shook it, it made a maraca-like noise. Maracas' were made of nuts and beans so this might be a bit more familiar than what she had seen so far.

As she soon found out, this task became more of a challenge than she had originally thought it to be. There was no opening mechanism to it from what she could see, and the words etched on it made no sense to her. She huffed, tossing the bag between each hand with a frown as she leaned up against the counter. It had been mixed in the food in the cylinders, so it had to be edible . . . The images on it looked like food, so what else could it be but just that? Her aggravated sigh racked through her body as she placed the irritating object on the flat, counter surface. She glared at it piercingly, feeling slightly insulted. She could take down giant, lizard Banshee's and shoot down a bird with the greatest accuracy, yet she could not figure out this stupid bag.

"I hate early mornings," grumbled an unkempt Braig as he walked out of his bedroom. It was nine o'clock on a Saturday morning . . . Usually he was in bed till noon on such a day like this. With a sun this bright he would have his drapes closed tightly, sealing the light out so he could sleep. But no, Master Xehanort had requested him to be up bright and early this morning just in case Zuga would happen to be an early riser.

"What a fantastic way to start my weekend, I get to play 'babysit the swamp monster'. Yay me!" he said with a displeased expression. Braig went to his bathroom and attempted to straighten out his bed head, but after a few minutes of attempting he decided he'd just do it later. After slipping on a pair of loose pants and a button up grey shirt Braig made his way down to the kitchen to make some coffee.

When he arrived in the kitchen he was surprised to see the reason for his early rising looking disgruntled with a bag of chips in her hand.

"What are you doing?" he asked incredulously, sleep still lacing his voice.

Zuga nearly squeaked. Jumping slightly, she swung her head sharply and stared wide-eyed at Braig. Closing her gaping mouth slightly, she hung her head down toward the bag. She hated asking for help, because for the most part she was usually able to take care of herself. But it seemed that if she wanted to get any food today it looked like she wouldn't be able to do it alone.

Reaching out, she swiped the infuriating object and held it out to him, still glaring at the counter. She didn't watch him take it from her hands and only glanced up when she found that it would be wise to see how he got the job done.

And didn't she feel stupid when he merely pulled the bag open in one go from the sides. She fought down a grumble when he handed it back to her. Zuga stared at the opened bag with a look of contempt before digging out a piece of its contents and examining it critically. After deeming it adequate enough, she nibbled on it hesitantly, trying to ignore Braig standing there staring at her.

After a few moments she heard him say, "Gee, don't I get a thank you?" He had said it with a laugh, in an offhand sort of way with his arms crossed smugly.

Zuga peered up at him and let her hand draw away from her mouth a tad.

" Thank you."

Braig gave a light nod and turned toward the counter, his eyes still glazed over with the desire for sleep.

"You're quite welcome . . . Wait-WHAT?"

Braig spun back around abruptly to face her, his amber eyes wide with pleasant surprise. All thoughts of sleep were now completely gone from his body. Had he heard the woman right? Had he actually just heard her talk?

He stumbled around for his own words, jumping from one sound to the next. "A.. Wh . . . Ho . . .What did you just say?"

In all honesty he had not expected a reply at all. It was just supposed to be some light banter to poke some fun at her. And she had responded to it! That alone he had been enough to force him into comical surprise.

His excitement made her stare bluntly at him with a disturbed frown. Her chest knotted up with unease as he began to fret over what he had just heard. When Braig saw her retreat back into her quiet shell he waved his hands about worriedly.

"No, no, talking is good," he stressed. "Say it again! What did you just say?"

Zuga tilted her head to the side and down, her eyes locked on him in a strange stare. Inwardly groaning to herself, she cleared her throat softly. " I said 'Thank you.'"

He was speechless. It was his turn now to gape at her in amazement. She didn't know what the big deal was, really. True as it may be, she had said not a word yet to anyone, but was it necessary to make such a fuss over her voice? It made her want to just take back everything she had just done to avoid this now so very awkward silence. If anything it was embarrassing.

Well, there was no taking it back now.

Finally, Braig found himself again and asked, pointing to himself, "Do you Can you say my name?"

She blinked owlishly at him and said after a small pause, " Braig."

A broad grin spread over his face. "That's it Now, how about our master?"

He was treating her like a child that had just learned its first words. She bit her lip sighed. "Master Xeh a-nort." His name had been a struggle for her, as it was a very out there kind of name for her standards. She cringed afterwards, hoping she had gotten it right.

Braig was ecstatic with her. "Right And how do you say your name? Is Zuga really your name? Have we been saying it right?"

So many questions! The man was as giddy as an adventurous child. She still wasn't comfortable with his interview-ish like conversation with her. She wasn't exactly comfortable with the conversation in general. Not using her voice in a while had definitely put a strain on her throat. Still, she had to answer his questions

She heaved in a breath with a flushed face and tried to say with as much accuracy in her dialect as possible, "My name is Zugareranach-" she felt her mouth twist into a small smirk as she saw his face fall into shock again, "-but, they call me " To this she stopped abruptly and stared at the floor with a furrowed brow. She actually liked how they said her name it sounded less complicated that way. And if it would help her sound more native And possibly forget her past life-time, then...

"Zu-kg Zuga." It felt strange saying her name like they did "It's Zuga."

Braig gave a satisfied nod with his head, a pleased smile on his face, meaning he was beaming ear to ear. And seemed as hyper as a kid on coffee... thing was... he hadn't even gotten to make his coffee yet. To say he was pleased was an extreme understatement, he was ecstatic! Ecstatic that she had spoken to him first and not to Master Xehanort, and just that... she TALKED!

"Wow..." he said still looking slap-silly, like he was still coming off the high of sudden surprise. "I... I'm quite impressed!" he said in a calmer tone.

"Ye... You know what? I'm going to make something nice for you for breakfast," he said with a nod of his head, the look in his eyes was serious, meaning she basically had no choice. "And besides, chips are definitely not a nutritious breakfast."

He went about pulling stuff out for an omelet and spoke to her over his shoulder. "Hey, Zuga, if you want to ask any questions, go ahead."

Her face was still flushed in color as he began now rewarding her for speaking. She hovered near the edges of the food-place, rubbing her throat soothingly. She had a whole load of questions to ask but if he was going to reward her for each one she had then maybe it'd be better to say nothing at all. But when would she get a chance to ask later? If this whole episode would repeat itself with Master Xehanort later today then possibly asking Braig would be a better choice.

She crunched on the chips with a set jaw, trying to figure out which question was more important. Finally she didn't feel like it mattered and rolled off with a clearing cough.

" What is this room called?"

He looked over his shoulder, seemingly surprised all over again. "A kitchen."

Her eyes traveled around the place warily. "And why does your kind use wood to build your houses?"

"It not all wood," he explained, "there are bricks to. We use those because they are the most sturdy materials."

This made her brow furrow. "What's a 'brick'?"

"Compacted ceramic stuff." When she stared at him with an even more confused expression he sighed, "It's a rock shaped like a rectangle."

Finally feeling enlightened, Zuga crossed her arms and set down the chip bag on the counter. At this point she found it hard to come up with anything else that might sound too straightforward for the moment. She really wanted to know why she was here, where this 'magic' came from and how to use it or where to get it, when she was to be deported to this research place and how she'd be able to become like one of them before that time came.

It was all a pressuring thought to shoulder, and she reached to her necklace to stroke it softly with her thumb. The motion made her nerves calm down a bit and she found it easier to relax. The thought of the necklace's origin made her bite her lip once glancing towards the window. She stared at it from the corner of her eye and asked warily, "Does your world have bogs?"

"Sorry, Swamp Monster, no swamps here," he laughed. "Just a deciduous forest. The closest thing to a bog we have here is a two-inch deep fountain." As he said it he walked over with a steaming plate and slid it over to her from across the counter top.

She stared at it with a troubled frown. "What's this?" She held up a shiny, metal object with prongs on it. "It looks like what we used to jab at our kill. But much smaller "

He gave her a dead expression and pointed to it. "It's a fork, Zuga. You kinda use it like that, just only to pick up your food rather than use your hands. You guys cooked your food, right?"

She glared up at him. "Of course we did. We'd get sick if we didn't, "she grumbled. "We don't use our hands either. We use bone-crafted picks." She didn't see his expression after that because she was too busy staring at the strange object on her plate. Not finding it worth to question what it was because she probably didn't know what ingredients it might hold anyway from such a world. She poked the fork at it experimentally to test its worth and found it of better use than the prong at home. To top it off, the thing was hot and she had been aching for something warm to settle in her belly.

As usual, she stuck a tiny sliver in her mouth before having away at. There was a sort of meat inside of it, which made her happy. Once gulping down a mouthful of it she looked up to Braig who was now getting out a mug of sorts from the shelf.

" And how primitive do you think I am?" She questioned lightly with a slow, amused smirk spreading over her face.

Braig went about making his coffee, putting the grounds through the grinder and then dumping them into the maker. After his coffee was going Braig went about making his omelet as him and Zuga discussed what a fork was.

"... And how primitive do you think I am?"

Braig's left eyebrow couldn't help but twitch, without even looking at her he knew she had an amused smirk on her face. Well he could lie... slightly and soften up his response... or he could be brutally honest... and Braig prided himself on being an honest guy.

Turning he leaned against the counter, a cocky grin on his face. "Well... let's think back Zuga... when Master Xehanort brought you here the other day you were one, covered in bones; two, Where wearin' rags for clothes, and three, you didn't know how to open a door on your own... Four..." he stopped when he finally noted the dead pan stare she was giving him.

The 'I got it' look. He gave a light shrug and chuckled.

"Honestly Swamp Monster... I thought you were as primitive as a rock." he said with a laugh.

She kneaded the fork between her fingers in an irritated manner. Her face was set into a scowling pout as she inwardly snarled over his words and to that nickname he seemed so attached to as well. He kept calling her that and she didn't understand why. "I could to open a door by myself It just took me a minute to figure it out." He only laughed to that, which again, made her scowl deepen. Huffing, she retreated back to her food, picking up the now only left scraps. Zuga sighed.

"We're not as primitive as you think," she started suddenly after a moment's silence, staring at the metallic object in her hands with a wistful glint in her eyes. "We can build great statues and buildings made from only skeletons and twine. And we've made things that allow us to hunt under the water's surface. That includes weapons and armory. We made things that let us breathe under water too." She looked around the room haughtily. "And besides, not all of the objects in here are unfamiliar to me... I know what that is," she pointed to the cup in his hands. "I'm not sure what your people call it but we call it a 'cup.'"

He grinned. "We call it that too. Or a glass, or a mug."

A satisfied, smug chuckle escaped her. "Perhaps we're not as different as you perceive after all." She dropped the fork into the middle of her plate with a clatter, pushing the dish away; its contents might as well being licked clean.

"Then tell me," he said amused. "What other things in here are you familiar with?"

She nodded to the fork. "We used something like that, but it was single-pronged." Then she nudged the plate again. "Ours is made of clay " Swiveling around, she began analyzing everything else. She pointed to the cabinets. "I had stuff like that, but everything here that involves a handle of some sort was all decorative tarp's back where I come from." She sagged back against the counter. "That's it for in here, really. Unless you count water."

"Nope. Water doesn't count, Swamp Monster. Every world has it," Braig said as he took a swig of his strong-scented drink.

Zuga frowned. " Why do you keep calling me that? I'm not a Swamp Monster."

Braig gave a shrug and scooped his omelet onto a plate and began eating it, standing there leaning against the counter. He wondered what was up with all these question? Sure he expected the 'What is that?' type question, but these 'Why?' questions were unexpected.

"Well, let me tell you something, Zuga. When you came here you sure looked like a Swamp Monster to me... Now maybe you don't, but still... First impressions are long lasting. Plus I find it amusing."

The man chuckled and finished up his breakfast, scooping up Zuga's dishes and his and rinsing them in the sink. While waiting for her response he went about cleaning up the kitchen.

Again her face fell. The nickname was a peeve and she found it making her self-conscious. Her orders had been to blend in after all and if she did, in any way, shape, or form, resembled something that marched straight out of a muddy swamp then she would definitely want to fix it. She folded her arms and huffed, blowing her bangs out of her face.

Under her breath she muttered in an annoyed grumble, "I am not a swamp monster " Braig must've not have heard her because he didn't have a snappy comeback to it. She lifted her head slightly, looking around searchingly.

"I want to know what importance do I hold to this 'plan' you and Master Xehanort were talking about earlier? I have nothing to offer but my loyalty and servitude." She yet again began to stroke her necklace. "I don't understand how I could help. Why I am I here?" Of course, she would've smacked herself if she had voiced such questions aloud, which is why she had only said them inside her head, fantasizing over whatever strange answer the man might come up with. She wanted to know, but at the same time she didn't. It was rude to intrude upon a topic that she had not been invited upon to know about.

Her shoulders slumped in exasperation, staring out the bright window with a cocked head. Outside Braig had asked her day-prior if she had wanted to go outside. Yesterday had been different though. She had been scared, and uneasy about this place. It was only day two, and she still wasn't very familiar with it, but maybe a good way to get started with that step was to take the next big one and venture out there. If it meant just figuring out how to open the window to climb on to the roof to observe the other people here, then so be it. She felt her hand clutch around the slender bone on her chest.

A cough made her snap out of her daze and blink back to life. She turned her head to Braig who gave her a pointed look. "What?"

"I said what did you plan on doing today?"

She pursed her mouth into a frown. 'Gee, don't know, Braig, I have no idea. I was going to go outside and terrorize the locals, but if you had something else for me to do, then-' "I was going to see if Master had a job me to do." she answered plainly with as much innocence as possible.

Braig nodded and was about to answer her when a creak on the steps made Zuga swivel her head as the sound got closer. She withdrew into her shell again nervously as Master Xehanort himself walked around the entryway, his golden eyes staring at the two without much emotion behind them. A knot formed in her chest and she tried to think of something that would make herself diminish from his attention. Nothing came to mind so she was forced to stay rooted in place which made her feel awkward.

Finally the hunched-over man let out a sigh. "You two are noisy." He nodded to her and then asked, "So I assume you've found your voice, then?"

Zuga tucked her chin to her chest and stared at the floor. "Yes, sir."

He bobbed his head and murmured something under his breath that she didn't catch. He shuffled further into the kitchen past Braig and observed the dishes in the sink. "You made sure to feed her, didn't you, Braig?"

At that point Zuga just wanted to shuffle out and retreat back into her room. It was a strange sensation to feel so helpless when literally only less than a day ago she was a strong, powerful warrior. And to feel helpless to these men as well. Men, that if she had been in her homeland, she would've been able to outrun and best in a contest of durability and strength.

'First impressions are everything, isn't that what you said, Braig? Alright. Let's see what we have here Withered, old scholar and his stringy looking apprentice ' She would've grinned and laughed at herself had they not been in the same room as her. She decided to keep her placid expression frozen into place and try not to talk too much. As it was harshly learned back in her tribe, it was better to keep one's opinions to yourself and not say anything at all.

Braig became serious when his elderly master came into the kitchen, responding to his question with a simple nod. He wished the man hadn't come down yet, Braig was enjoying the conversation Zuga and he were having. And who knew if she would talk so freely in the future. The young man could see her already shrinking back into her quite little shell, and he so much wanted to pull her out of it.

Braig became serious when his elderly master came into the kitchen, responding to his question with a simple nod. He wished the man hadn't come down yet, Braig was enjoying the conversation Zuga and he were having. And who knew if she would talk so freely in the future. The young man could see her already shrinking back into her quite little shell, and he so much wanted to pull her out of it.

To be completely honest he was looking forward to having a different variety of company besides the old Master Xehanort.

After washing the remaining dishes and putting them away Braig cleared his throat and turned to his mentor. "I'm not sure if I told you last night Master, but I'm going to be leaving this afternoon to meet with the King of Radiant Garden's. I think there's a strong possibility that I'll be able to have a position in his services."

Master Xehanort only slowly nodded his head, as if barely paying attention, mumbling in understanding. "This is good " He tucked his arms behind his stooped back, face twisting into a small, pleased expression. He turned towards the direction of the study and began to walk out. Before he did so, though, he chuckled, "Don't I get a 'thank you, Master Xehanort,' Braig?"

Zuga felt a sudden, split second of irony before looking to the raven-haired man to see him frown. He glanced her way, which made her smirk vanish into a strained, thin line. Turning his head back to Master Xehanort, Braig sighed in an overly unctuous tone, "Thank you Master Xehanort "

The elderly man tilted his head slightly backwards. "Very good, Braig. We have to teach the young lady manners, remember? Don't be a bad influence. Especially since you might just be spending a good portion of your time watching over a little child." Letting his apprentice sulk over his words for a moment, he waited, and then addressed, "Zuga, you can do and go wherever you want. Just don't get into trouble."

'That's just the problem ' she thought exasperated. 'I don't have anything to do.'

Master Xehanort said nothing more and moved out, making silence fall over the kitchen.

She stared at the window again, this time pacing over to it and looking at it with a critical expression. Glancing over her shoulder she said to Braig softly, as if not to disturb anyone, "How do you open these?"

Braig looked a bit perplexed, watching Master Xehanort walk out of the room with his eyebrows knit in confused frown. 'How the flip does he know I might be watching over a child? I never mentioned Miya to him.' The man shrugged, sighing and shaking his head. He would never understand everything his master did and said, but he would go down this road just so long as it meant he got what he wanted most.

"How do you open these?" Zuga's soft spoken words seemed extremely loud in the very quiet kitchen now.

Braig looked over at her and gave an owlish blink before coming over to the window she stood by. Flipping the lock on it he opened the two panes outwards. "There ya go!" he said semi-cheerfully, walking away from her.

She watched him turn away and exit the kitchen with a stone-faced expression. Then she smirked, thoroughly amused, and looked back at the window, studying the way it was designed and how it had been clipped together. Once being satisfied by her observations, she backed away and began mulling over different things she could do to pass the time. She could explore the house more, ask Braig about some stuff, or go back to her room and open her own window to get up to the roof.

Well, she'd rather take a better look at the house when no one else was here. Braig seemed preoccupied with whatever job he was trying to get, so that left just her room. Sighing, she did just that, feeling the silence close over her throat again. Immediately she went next to her bed and peeled the cushions away to make sure her daggers hadn't been removed. Pleased to see they were still there, she walked to the stagnant curtains and threw them out of her way to do the same thing she had saw Braig do prior. The window easily flung open, and she stuck her head out experimentally. There was a sturdy three-inch sill. She tilted her head up. Above she could see the edge of the roof, lined with pipe-like things. Glancing down, she looked for anyone who might be able to see her stunt.

There were people in the square setting up colorful tapestries and stands. Her face furrowed. They seemed pretty preoccupied Taking another good look around the window, she hefted herself onto the sill and crouched low on it, reaching for the line of pipe. Bracing her feet up against the bricks, as she then recalled that being what Braig had called them, she got her grip on the roof shingles and was able to catapult herself to the top of the edge expertly. Getting away from said edge, she paced a few meters away before plopping herself down to watch.

It was an interesting place, and beautiful, she had to admit. On every available place that wasn't taken up by colorful pavement there were flowers. They were in all different shapes, sizes, and colors with intricate petal designs that Zuga found exceedingly interesting. And the buildings were huge. She could see over the other roofs the peaks of a skyscraper building, blockaded by a large fenced-in border. She hadn't come to look at the architecture, though, she noted to herself. It was then that she began observing the small swarms of people running about, getting ready for some sort of weird frenzy.

Large, bird-like creatures were being led into pens, their anatomy similar to some of the things she had been living with back in the swamp. Though, she prided knowing that her birds were much prettier than these golden, over-sized chickens.

'Ha They even use them for mounts ' she laughed to herself, seeing a man upon a tacked one. Her mouth twisted into a grin, recalling the giant, saber-cats that they rode back in Lackluster. 'Our Capurna's could eat these things alive We may not be as advanced as these people, but our animals are much better. But perhaps their flowers make up for the lack of design in their mounts.' She mused over the idea quietly with a satisfied grin.

Throughout her quiet study, she made mental note of things to ask about later, from the birds, the people, that skyscraper, the plants and how and why people interacted with each other like they did. The interactions bothered her the most. The men and women alike were working on the same projects, the same jobs, and some of the females were even directing the men on what to do. And the men were obeying. She was perplexed. Did these females actually have authority power? It was strange to think about, this land being governed by a female. It would explain the abundance of color and flowers she scoffed to herself, entertaining the idea of a female ruler. But then she recalled the conversation, brief as it was, with Master Xehanort and Braig; and Braig had mentioned a "King of Radiant Gardens." So perhaps they didn't have so much authority that they could become ruler? Zuga didn't know, and would ask later.

For the most part, though, she was content with lounging on the sun-bathed singles, watching. But, she couldn't help but shiver. This world wasn't nearly as humid and hot as the swamp. If anything, to her, it was comparable to cold. She cocked her head, mulling over the fact that she'd probably get used to it in a few moons.

After Braig walked out of the kitchen he headed for the front door to pick up the morning paper. Opening his door he pulled the rolled up newsprint from the mailbox by the door and went back inside, kicking the door closed with his foot as he began to read. He had hours to kill till he had to meet Ansem at 3 that afternoon. Grabbing his coffee mug Braig headed up to his study and nestled himself in his couch. Opening the paper he lost himself in its print.

---

Back at the castle the night had passed by like every single night, Ansem had tucked Miya to in bed and read her a story. Like most nights she fell asleep before he was even finished with the book. But unlike most nights, Ansem didn't leave her bedroom, he sat in the dark watching his little daughter sleep peacefully while he sat and mulled over the words of Braig. He had felt quite guilty for having not been there when that... thing... had attacked her. Ansem couldn't help but wonder what would of happened if Braig hadn't shown up.

Standing from his chair and walking from the dawn lit room, Ansem ran his broad hand over his face, a worried sigh passing through his lips. Going to the large kitchen Ansem went about making himself some coffee, and prepare some breakfast for the little early bird. With it being the weekend the servants were off, as had been his request many years ago and the whole castle was extremely quiet at this hour. Ansem had to admit it was a pleasurable quiet, though soon his little ray of sunshine would be awake and her melodious voice would be music to his ears.

Ansem pulled a chair up to the kitchen's counter and stared out of one of the windows, watching the sun rise, his thoughts traveling six years back and to a particularly starry night. The night that he'd found Miya in the garden. It had been such a surprise to have gone out on that late night stroll alone and then to return with a small and fragile baby girl.

Not many people knew about his daughter. The castle's staff and a few people outside knew, but besides that no one else. Though her existence wasn't a secret to the world, he just believed that such a young child didn't need to be the talk of Radiant Gardens. Soon though she'd be going and playing outside and today was to be no exception. It was to be her first time going to the Spring Festival and he was probably more excited than she was.

To see her face light up at seeing something new each corner turned was going to be the biggest adventure the two of them had ever shared.

The sound of little feet on wooden floor was what brought Ansem out of his thoughts, turning on the stool he saw Miya walk into the kitchen. She was rubbing her little eyes, her purple hair in an artistic way that only sleep can manage. He went over to her and picked his daughter up into his arms, patting her baby blue pj's straight, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

The child made a face and rubbed her cheek with a giggle "Your face tickles papa," she said wrapping her small arms around his neck and giving him a big hug and kissing his own cheek.

Laughing in his deep baritone laugh he set Miya down on a chair at the kitchen's table. "So are you excited for today Miya? We're going to the festival today, remember?" he said over his shoulder as he went about making her scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Miya bounced in her seat and turned around to face him, leaning against the chairs back with her knees in the seat. "Of course I am, Papa... How could I forget? As soon as I'm finished with breakfast I'm going to get myself dressed! I want to wear the yellow sundress! Please, please, please?" she said with a big smile.

Laughing once more at the face his daughter gave him, Ansem nodded and set down a cup of orange juice down at her place at the table. "Yes, Miya, you may wear your yellow sundress. You'll match the Chocobo's you love so dearly."

Miya grinned and nodded, turning to sip at her drink and then eat her breakfast her father set before her. Once she was done she flew off her chair and ran to her room, leaving her father to finish his food and coffee.

The child's first line of business was brushing her teeth, brushing her matted nest of hair, and washing her face and hands. After finishing that she went into her room and grabbed her clothes and got herself dressed. When she returned to the kitchen her father had obviously done the same thing, for he was in a different set of clothes, and he'd shaved.

Miya bounded over to him and crawled up into his lap and rested her head on his chest and sat there while he read the newspaper and drank his coffee.

After he had rid of every last drop of coffee in his mug and had gotten his fill of the morning paper, Braig looked up at the clock to see it nearly noon. He had three hours until his meeting with the King. He sighed, folding the monochromatic colored sheets of paper into a thin roll and leisurely stalked up to his room after placing his coffee mug near the sink.

The rest of those hours were filled with him getting his best uniform cleaned spotless and slicking back his hair so that no more of it was in his face. He even omitted his favorite kerchief for a cleaner one, since said favorite was slightly tattered towards the bottom.

He was completely set as soon as the clock in the hallway struck two thirty. Slipping on the bulky white gloves encrusted with Radiant garden's seal, he passed his Master's study, saying as he passed, "I'm leaving."

"Don't break anything," his master chided sarcastically from within.

Grinning with a snort he took to the door and locked it behind him out of habit. He felt mildly perplexed there for a minute as he tucked the key into his pocket. It wasn't like Master Xehanort would let someone break in. It wouldn't be like anyone would break into his house in the first place. He chuckled over his carefulness leisurely as the crowds began to thicken the deeper he went into the town.

It indeed was more magnificent than last year. He assumed Ansem must've gotten a larger deposit due to his newest contraptions. There were new games, more Chocobo's than last time and he even passed a track for racing them.

Braig decided it would be best to look for the King near the center of the excitement: right at the Fountain Square.

The royal family left for the festival at a quarter past 10, late enough that the sun was shining and early enough that not many people would be there yet. As Ansem led them down to the town square Miya skipped beside him, humming and holding his hand. She was a bundle full of energy, filled to the brim with excitement only a child could have.

Upon arriving at the festival grounds Miya's eyes were wide as she took it all in. The bright banners, flags and decorations gave color to the air above, the strings of lights all over the booths and walk ways would make a canopy of lights when it became dark, and the booths and stands brought it all down to eye level. The festival itself was centered in the business district, and the center of the grounds was the Fountain Square.

As the two walked around Ansem accepted the cordial ways of his subjects, their greetings and their waves, but he did not acknowledge their questioning stares to the child at his side. And for the time being his dear daughter was oblivious them, as entranced as she was by the festival it was no surprise.

He had to admit that the festival looked spectacular and radiant. Much more radiant than any of the spring festival's in the past. And it was drawing in quite a crowd. He noted the familiar faces of the locals and then the unfamiliar ones from villages and towns he was less acquainted with.

Ansem led Miya to where the game booths were. He taught her how to play some of the festival games; her favorite was trying to land a ball into a fish bowl. She was very adamant about winning the calico goldfish swimming around in the center bowl. The child was finally convinced by her father that there would be time to try later, and the two moved on.

It was noon exactly when they moved out of the games, Miya having thoroughly explored that area of the festival. She'd given a hand at most of them, and she had convinced her father to do a few as well. Ansem saw that she was enjoying herself, and because of that he couldn't have been happier.

For lunch Ansem bought them some egg salad sandwich pockets from one of the vendors and they sat down in one of the empty lawn areas shaded by the tall trees. It took Ansem a while to calm Miya down enough to sit still and eat her lunch, and when she finally did she zoomed through it, ready to move on to the next area of the festival. It was 1 o'clock once lunch was finished.

Till the clock struck 3 Ansem and Miya went through the Chocobo tent, and that's where they stayed. It was right by the Fountain Square and Ansem could easily see it from the tent, he too was quite anticipating meeting with Braig. He'd made his decision.

As the king waited, he watched Miya walk around the perimeter of the corrals, watching the older Chocobos with bright brown eyes. That lasted an hour, and then she wanted to feed the Chocobo chicks. She sat in the straw feeding them bread crumbs till Ansem called her over to him.

"Papa what are we going to do now?" she asked looking up at him and tugging on his sleeve.

"We are going to go meet that nice man from yesterday Miya."

"We're going to see Braig?"

He nodded.

"Yay!"

The square was crowded, people using the area as a crossing to different parts of the festival. Braig brushed through the hordes of people, inching his way carefully to the large, water-spraying structure at the center, feeling as if eyes were on him around every way he detoured. Kids darted out in front of him and he balked abruptly to let them through, even though they had completely unnoticed their would-be collision. Grinning to the naivety of the people, he finally reached the sculpture in the middle, resting his hand on the edge with a proud sigh of relief for not being plowed over.

The man perked up his head alertly, turning it about to see if he could get a glimpse of the king. Seeing no sign of him in the immediate area, he slowly rotated around the rim of the fountain. About halfway around he found his target and approached him with a bright grin. Resting his fists on his hips, he looked down at Miya and said, "Hey there, kiddo. Liking what you see?"

"Braig!" She nearly screeched.

Beaming at her overjoyed face briefly, he then turned his attention to Ansem and shook his hand in greeting, noting the serious glint in his dark almond eyes. Braig felt his own gaze steeling up and he said in all politeness, "Your Majesty."

"Braig," he replied in equal courtesy as he released his grip on Braig's hand.

"Have you seen any more of those icky black monsters, Miya?" he suddenly asked, averting his eyes away from the king to look at Miya, who returned her attention to him as soon as she heard her name.

"Nuh-uh!" she said. "You must've scared them all off!"

"Let's keep it that way, alright?" Braig chuckled, making sure to give Ansem a meaningful glance out of the corner of his eye, trying to keep down the sly grin he had planted within his mind.

Ansem gave a light nod and patted Miya on the head. "Don't worry Miya, from now on your not going to need to worry about those monsters."

"Why not, Papa?" she asked looking up at him.

"Because... I think I found the right man to keep you safe where ever you go."

"Who?" she asked tilting her head to the side and looking hopefully at Braig.

Ansem grinned and nodded his head toward Braig, turning to the man. "If Braig is still interested in the job, then... I believe he is the one."

Miya turned to look at Braig and grabbed his hand and began jumping up and down. "Please say yes, Braig! Please say yes!"

That grin he'd been concealing opened up when hearing her shrill voice plead for his approval. With an amused snort he looked up at the king with strong eyes, saying, "I'd be honored."

It made Miya rushed from his hand to his legs, which she strangled in her circle of arms. Like a wind-up toy, she kept bouncing until running out of juice, all the while saying "yes" multiple times over. Braig used the rim of the fountain as a balance to steady himself as she threatened to make him fall over.

Ansem was able to finally peel his daughter away from him, saying, "Then it's done. Congratulations, Braig. You're the first of the Royal Guards."

It made him bob his head, still having that plastered grin on his face. "I head a 's' in there. I suppose I'm not going to be the last?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I've decided that perhaps a few more guards for the castle grounds might be necessary. As you said Times could be changing." He tilted his head up. "But we'll discuss that later."

Miya began rocking back and forth on her heels with a wide eyes and a hyper gleam in those glowing amber eyes. She listened to the two men as her father began to go into the details of Braig's new job and the duties he'd have. Along with pay and other details that were totally not important to a child who was excited and a bit A.D.D. when it came to the festival.

After about five minutes of standing there, trying to be a polite young lady, respecting her father and Braig while they spoke, she got bored. After those five minutes she couldn't take it anymore. Those impatient child instincts kicked in and her little hand lifted up to tug on her father's cuffed up shirt sleeve.

"Papa? Can I go back over to the Chocobo pen? I'm awfully bored right now and I would so love to go feed the chick's again." She said with her eyes as big as saucers and she spoke in a polite respectful tone that would turn most fathers to jello.

Ansem looked down at Miya. Braig noted the giant, irresistible stare she was giving him with a quiet chuckle. He settled that tidbit of information deep within the recesses of his mind for future reference. If there was a time where he needed to use something against his new boss, then this little girl was definitely the tool to use. "You can go to the Chocobo pen," he said justly. "Just don't wander too far." Miya beamed like a ray of sun before thanking her father greatly and dashing off into the crowds towards the white and red tent. Ansem sighed after her, giving Braig a nice, long side glance. "Little girls, eh?" Braig laughed. "Little girls."

---

Towards the back of the city, where money wasn't so elaborately lavish, lived a small district of people. They were not poor, nor discontent. They seemed to have just gotten the short straws of life when it came to getting the best, or perhaps the bustle of the center just wasn't their cup of tea.

There were two, young boys famous around that part of town for their strange way of living, but more frequently and commonly known for their practical jokes and rascal mischief.

They were walking in the middle of one of the empty streets, one in front of the other, though there was plenty of room to walk side by side. In front was a thin, wan-faced boy, his steps quick and brisk, jaw set. Behind him was another child, his features as pale as his friend's, but the contrast of their personality was evident in the way they carried themselves. The one in the back was obviously slightly taller than the one in front. He was slouched, his head was hanging, and posture slacked.

"C'mon, Lea, or we'll be late for the gambles!" the smaller boy shouted over his shoulder to his companion, hearing the roar of the public getting nearer as they approached the carnival. It was in the mid hours of afternoon, and the sun was shining bright overhead with a few wisps of clouds drifting about.

The flame-haired child was lagging behind him, dragging his feet on the colored pavement. "But I don't want to run," he whined, rolling his emerald eyes up to the sky, exasperated.

Isa scowled at him with matching green eyes, growling, "We need this, Lea. It could be our only chance to strike gold!"

"You say that every year! Then when we lose and you spend all the rest of our money on peeling tickets! 'Oh, just one more, I'm sure this'll be the one that will make us rich!' You always say that, but it never happens."

The other, blue haired boy only flapped his hand about in a dismissive manner. "Whatever! I didn't drag you with me to hear your negative comments. Just hurry up!"

With a groan the other picked up his feet and began to run with his friend through the streets, taking a few back-alley cuts to get to the track where the large Chocobos were lined up on the other side of a large-wooden fence. They weren't racers: just for show. The real troopers were inside getting tacked and ready.

With all thoughts of being tired suddenly vanishing from Lea, he rushed to the fence and hopped on it, whistling in awe, "Whoa! Look at them, Isa, they're huge!"

They did this every year, but none seemed to catch the odd repetition in it. Isa soon joined him up on the fence, reaching out to touch one of the glossy feathers. Lea smacked his arm

"You'll fall in like you did two years ago and get in trouble!" he reprimanded harshly.

Isa snapped, "Well, I recall someone pushing me."

"I did not!" Lea defended, looking aghast with disbelief.

Isa punched his shoulder. "Did too!"

The other did the same. "It was an accident!"

Another punch. "But you still pushed me!"

"Not on purpose, though!"

They kept at this until they found the matter suddenly hilarious, where they both broke out into grins and laughed, hopping down off the fence. The Chocobos looked at them sideways with wary brown eyes, as if finding their behavior ludicrous. With arms tucked behind their heads, they made their way into the tents, Isa beginning his diligent work.

"What shall we go for this year, Lea?" he asked calmly, peering through some of the metal bars to look at the racers.

"Well, I remember that the one we picked last year, Fletcher, was only mediocre at sixth place. Don't pick him, Isa," his friend advised, standing behind him. "Let's pick that one!" he pointed to a large bird towards the back, his head leaning over the other gate to look into the neighboring stall of Chocobos.

Isa studied him for a bit before shaking his head. "No."

Lea looked hurt by the discharge of his choice. "Why not?"

"He gets too distracted. Look at him, not focused at all."

Lea stared at the bird for a minute, cocking his head this way and that until seeing the logic of it. "Well which one do you think will win?" he asked.

Isa shrugged and stuffed his hands into his khaki shorts. He shuffled through the straw-littered tent to the next stall, mouth pursed in concentration. Lea followed him, nearly riding up his back when the other boy stopped to observe the new selection.

"Hey, these guys are the younger bunch," the blue-haired boy said, nodding to them. "Perhaps we'll have a better shot here."

There was no objection from Lea, so they crowded up against the chain-linked fence, observing the racers with wide eyes. Finally, a broad grin broke out on Isa's face and he stuck his small arm through one of the chained holes of the fence and pointed. "That one."

Lea stared at him doubtfully. "Why that one?"

"I just feel like it'll be lucky."

This made the red-head frown. "When you say that, you jinx it."

"It'll be different! I swear!" Isa assured, his charisma swaying his one-person audience without another question.

Lea gave a crooked smile of devoted trust. "If you say so "

Miya gave a squeal of delight before turning and dashing off into the sea of colors and people. Running through the crowded Fountain Square wasn't as easy as the 6 year old, or any child for that matter, made it seem. She was oblivious to the elders and other hazards that could have run her over, or obscured her path in any way.

When she reached the red and white tent, Miya paused and walked in timidly. Ducking past the people who stood in the entrance and past those who stood in the walkways,mMaking her way to a quiet corner she had seen earlier by one of the pens that held the chocobo chicks. As she reached her target Miya looked around to see if anyone was looking and climbed through the wooden railed fence, and settled herself behind the barrel in the chick pen. She settled down and gave a sigh, getting comfortable in the straw on the dirt floor, loving that her view of the people outside was obscured and hoping she was unseen from them.

Reaching into her dress pocket Miya pulled out a bag of bread crumbs and held her hand out to one of the chicks that had come to investigate the strange purple haired creature in their space. Smiling, large brown eyes watched as the chick began to peck at the crumbs in her hand. She gradually pulled her hand back till the chick was eating out of the bag in her lap. Soon a few other chicks noticed that their sibling had found a yummy treat source and joined . Soon a handful was pecking away at the bread crumbs in her lap.

Sitting in her corner with her five chick friends, Miya watched the chicks intently and listened to the voices outside just as intently as she was staring. Her curiosity was piqued when she heard the voices of two other children. The reason her attention was caught was because the voices weren't coming from the common observation area. But behind the tent wall she leaned against. Turning around and prying the corner away from the ground and side, she looked through her peep hole and saw the area was completely empty. Except over by a pen were she saw two boys lounging against the fence pointing at different racing Chocobos.

Deciding to leave the chicks and subdue the rising curiosity in her small body, Miya made the flap big enough for her to crawl through. After closing it back up, so none of the chicks could escape, Miya crawled over to hide behind some barrels that hid her from the two boy's view.

After listening to the red haired and blue haired boy discuss the different racing Chocobos Miya realized they were appraising them. The girl smiled and came to stand behind the two, watching them intently.

The blue haired, shorter boy pointed to a Chocobo to the far back of the pen, and declared with a pleased "That one".

"Why that one?" the red haired boy said looking at his friend.

"I just feel like it'll be lucky."

"When you say that, you jinx it." the boy said with a frown.

"It'll be different I swear " the charismatic blue head said looking at his friend with a determined expression.

"If you say so " the other boy said clapping his friend on the shoulder. "I just hope your right, I'm tired of losing all the time to those punks."

Peeking past the two, still unnoticed and silent, she appraised their chosen Chocobo and frowned. "Uhm... no it's not." she said in a matter of fact tone, looking at the two boys with her head tilted to the side. "You two are quite silly if you think that Chocobo is going to win... whatever it's supposed to win."

The two boys jumped and whirled around, their eyes wide like a cat caught with a canary. Isa narrowed his green gaze into slits when seeing the small girl looking at them with a serious expression. He glanced over to Lea who was also looking at him from the corner of the eyes. They looked at her again with furrowed brows.

"Check this out, Lea," Isa said, leaning in a bit to better inspect the strange, little girl.

She had the oddest shade of violet hair with indigo-like streaks in her bangs, which shaded her amber eyes. It was strange, as he had never seen anyone with such a hair color as this before.

"Punk," he spit down at her, "who do you think you are?" She didn't shrink under that, which made Isa smirk. "Just what makes you think that Chocobo is not gonna win, huh?"

Lea was looking to and from his friend to the girl. She didn't seem much younger than them, but the size difference was clear. But what had him puzzled was how confident she seemed, standing up to Isa. Isa was scary when he wanted to be. He would puff himself up to look twice his size and fix you in that heart-wrenching glare that just sent shivers down your spine and the hairs on your arms stand on end.

And she didn't even flinch.

Miya furrowed her brows up at the blue haired boy, who was towering above her. Her face twisted into a perplexed expression, and then settled back to her serious expression. The young girl had never come across another child to have such a harsh attitude, and she wondered what his friend beside him saw in his blue haired friend.

In Miya's own opinion, the boy seemed ridiculous and strange.

"You are a very strange boy." she commented with an indignant edge. "I am not a 'punk', you are in this case. And I am Miya, I know I am Miya so I don't think I am anyone else." she said all matter-of-factly.

She then blinked up at the boy and then over to the red haired one who stood watching his friend and herself. Turning her attention back to the boy in front of her, Miya tilted her head to the side and continued.

"The reason your chosen Chocobo won't win the race is because he is one; to young and immature, more prone to show off and get prideful and two; his body is not all shaped right to be a fast runner. His legs are far too short and his ankles are huge with a small set of talons. Any Chocobo experienced individual would be able to see quite clearly that spring chicken is not a winner."

Miya paused and waited for his response, noting how blue his hair was, she'd never seen such strange hair... not to mention style. Slightly swept back and up at the top of his head while the rest of it hung down the sides and back of his head... it looked very shaggy. A grinned cracked on her expression as she noticed the boy must really like the color blue, for his t-shirt was nearly the same color as his locks.

They turned around and stared at their Chocobo choice with tilted heads. Lea looked at Isa to see his jaw set with stubbornness as he saw the little girl's statements to be true. He slowly swivelled his head back to her, his stern look making Lea give mental kudos to the girl-Miya was her name- for stepping up to the plate and defending herself from Isa's icy wrath. Isa's anger wasn't even aimed at him and he could sense the coldness of it.

Lea was shocked when a twisted grin suddenly formulated upon his friend's face. Isa began slowly, "Uh-huh? So, which one would you pick, then? Since you seemed to be the expert here "

The flame-haired one reverted his gaze back to Miya, trying to mentally mull over why Isa had suddenly switched moods so swiftly. Something must be concocting in that brilliant mind of his. Something about this girl was making him tick with some sort of new, crazy plan.

As far as things had went between him and Isa, he wasn't so sure if this was going to be a good thing or a bad thing

Miya shook her head, rolled her eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. "Please... Step aside..." she said making a shooing motion with her hand.

The blue haired boy twitched and stepped out of her way, crossing his arms and smirking down at her. Miya merely ignored the look and walked over to the chained fence and leaned against it, inspecting the pen of Chocobo's.

For a few minutes she was quiet, then gave a snort and moved over to the other pen of the older Chocobo's. Miya then began to grin and pointed.

"That one, back in the corner. His body has the right shape for the air to rush past smoothly when running extremely fast. His legs are strong, with the ankles and knee's the right size that matches his taloned feet. With a body and set of feet like that, it should be quite a winner." She said looking over her shoulder at the two boys.

Isa observed her pick with a satisfied grin, moving to stand next to her. He peered at the Chocobo to confirm her facts, nodding with approval. Lea watched as Isa turned towards him, his face smug.

"Well?" Lea questioned.

"You heard the lady!" Isa barked happily. "That one it is!"

Lea looked over Isa's shoulder to the girl, who seemed quite pleased with herself for impressing them like so. With a heavy sigh, he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Alright, if you say so."

Isa leaned in to his ear, jerking his head slightly towards Miya. "Man, if she's right with this, who knows what she could do someplace else? This might be our chance, Lea! Let's let her stick around with us for a bit. Perhaps some good will come out of it."

There was a bit of silence from Lea before he shrugged. "You're the boss."

Isa turned on his heels to face the girl. "Say How about you come with us to watch the race? Then we'll see if you're really right about that one." He pointed to the Chocobo tacked in violet reigns and pads.

Miya turned and looked back at the pen of the ten Chocobos', brown eyes appraising each giant, glossy golden bird. She mulled the idea of going with these two boys over in her mind. Thing was, she had told her papa that she would be in this tent with the Chocobos, and had never said anything about going to the race. Miya worried if she went with the boys then her papa wouldn't know where she was and then become worried.

She turned around and looked at the two boys. "Well... I dunno... I kinda..."

There was a loud whooping sound that interrupted Miya's sentence. Down at the far end of the tent, three shadows appeared on the other side of the tent.

So it seemed this trio was attempting to get into the back of the show tent with Racers, and Miya looked a bit worried that it might be some workers who tended to the birds. But her worries seemed to be for not when three boys walked through a flap in the tent.

The group consisted of a small spiky black haired boy, a lanky short red haired boy, and a tall, toned, blonde haired guy that seemed closer to guy than boy.

Looking at the boys beside her she saw them stiffen and frown. The young girl looked confused by the expressions on all five's faces. They all looked very displeased to see each other. Isa and the blonde haired one both crossed their arms over their chests and glared at each other. The blonde looked far more intimidating because of his physical appearance compared to the blue haired boy beside her.

"Well lookie here boys, if it ain't our two little pals... the Dynamic Delinquents! " the boy said with a strange drawl Miya had never heard before.

"Hmpf..." said the red head "remember what we talked about before, Cid... no need to draw unnecessary blood. These twerps aren't worth it."

"Yeah, Reno's right Cid. Let's just check out the Racers and go make some bids." the black haired boy said looking up at the two elder.

Miya had moved to stand behind a nearby barrel, not wanting to be noticed and felt a bit awkward standing there. From her safe place she could really get a look at the three new comers. The black haired boy wasn't much bigger than the blue and red haired boy's she'd just become acquainted with, which meant he wasn't much older than them. All three wore sneakers, jeans and t-shirts, each sporting their own color. The two older had a set of goggles resting on their heads, and the blonde had a toothpick held between his teeth.

Standing beside her barrel she watched the three boys walk over to her boys, all of them staring down at them.

"So..." the blonde... or Cid, "which 'ere bird are ya fella's betting to win eh?"

Isa huffed and spat in his cold tone, "None of your business."

Lea gave the three of them a witheringly glare. For the most part his gaze was focused in on the other red-headed boy, who was indeed much taller than him. They seemed to regard each other with mixed emotions, though Reno grinned at his nasty frown.

"Tut, tut," Reno clucked at the little Lea. "You know it's impolite to stare."

Isa's hand pressed to Lea's chest as the boy tried to step forward to defend himself and snap back with a retort and possibly with his fists.

Cid gave a dry chuckle, sweeping his eyes over them. He stopped smiling when come thing caught his attention. "Hey Who's the plum?"

The black haired child peered behind their rivals and paced to sidle up at Cid's side to try and get a better view. Cid pushed him away with a quick shove of his leg.

Isa whirled to look and see Miya hovering around the other side of a feed barrel.

"Dude, Zack, there's this thing called personal space-"

"Oh, I see now!" Zack suddenly cried, tugging on the eldest's pant leg again. "It's a girl!"

Reno's smirk broadened. "Well what do we have here, hm? New recruit to meet out numbers, Isa? Is that the best you could find? A little girl?"

The whole lot of older boys broke out into a chorus of laughter as The two other boys puffed up with red angry faces.

Miya felt her cheeks redden by the unwanted attention she now found herself the center of. She shuffled her feet and walked out from behind the barrel with her hands clasped behind her back standing a few feet away from the group of boys.

"I'm not little..." she said digging a toe into the dirt. "I'm a big girl.. I'm six!"

Miya held one hand up; all five boys began to laugh hysterically. "Wow... really? That looks more like a 5 to me." Reno said slapping his knee.

Rolling her eyes at her mistake she lifted her other hand with one finger held up. "Whatever... I'm still 6." She then turned to look at the older red haired boy. "What do you mean recruit? I'm just looking at the Chocobos."

"Ah, is that how it is?" Reno said, still smiling. He looked down to Isa who was still boiling to their presence. "Well, I suppose that I should've known better. Isa wouldn't dare let anyone in his ranks that was smarter than him."

Cid and Zack began to laugh all over again, making the little blue-haired boy's jaw drop; his face looking like it just got slapped. It was Lea's turn to hold him back as he reached out to take a swing at one of them.

"Easy, Isa!" Lea hissed, reining his companion back.

"Let me go! Let me punch him, Lea, let me punch him!"

As much as Lea would love to see Reno get his face socked in, he was well aware of Cid hovering back there with his thick arms and full, bulky build. If he were to come in then they would be definite goners.

While Isa cooled his jets, Cid looked at Reno with a sudden nod towards the Chocobo pen. Reno grinned back at him and looked over the barred fence, his arms resting along the wooden plank at the top. "Which one, Cid?" he asked.

Zack gave Miya a final look before running up to squeeze in next to Reno. "I like the blue one," he said happily.

Reno glanced down at him before humming to himself thoughtfully. "I 'unno," he said after a moment. "That red one looks pretty nice Doesn't have any gray around the eyes, so he's definitely a spring chick from last year. Got a lot of youthful energy, wouldn't you say?"

Isa, now finally settled, looked at the red tacked Chocobo, realizing it was the one he had been going to pick before Miya came along. He looked over his shoulder at her, and she was starting to walk over to the group of older boys to evaluate their pick and criticize it. He grabbed her arm and tried to keep her rooted there.

"Shh," he hissed softly as she gave him a strange look. "Don't let them know about ours!"

Lea nodded avidly in reply when Miya looked to him next for guidance.

Miya just shrugged and settled to stand next to the two boys, just listening to their conversation about which Chocobo to pick. She pried her arm away from the blue haired boy... Isa was what his friend, Lea, had called him.

She gave a sour, indignant look to Isa, sidling closer to Lea. The young girl was puzzled by these new events, not sure what to make of them. Except that it was her first time interacting with anyone outside the castle... and kids to top it off.

"So... why don't you guys get along with them?" she whispered up to Lea with a confused look. The 6 year old couldn't understand why the boys were fighting; all of them hadn't said a nice thing to anyone since the three had come to the tent. Well... not all... the black haired boy seemed to have ignored Lea and Isa, his attention either her or the Chocobos.

Lea bent down and whispered in her ear, giving a shrug. "We're rival's... everything we do they're always not far behind... and sometimes we do the same thing."

Miya looked at him with a raised eyebrow, still confused. "Why?"

The red head chuckled "It's a boy thing you could say."

"Oh..."

"Do you understand now?"

She shook her head "Nope. It's silly in my opinion... But I am a girl and I don't think girls and boys really understand each other so I guess it's okay." she said not whispering now.

Lea shook his head at her and stared back at the other boys. Cid walked over next to Reno, peering over the fence. "Yeah, that red one looks nice," he stated. "Seems like a good pick."

"Of course it is," Reno said in a prideful tone, puffing his chest broadly.

Zack looked up at the two of them with a strange expression. He seemed to be ready protest their choice, because his heart had been set on that blue-tacked one. But, he sighed in defeat, complying and respecting their decision in silence.

The other two turned around, fixing Lea and Isa into a smug glare. "We'll see you two lads in the ring," Cid hissed in that husky tone of his. "Hope you guys have your pay from last year too."

The lot of them chuckled among themselves and walked out of the tent, their voices fading into the cacophony of the festival. Isa growled under his breath, seething alongside Lea.

"Stupid bunch," Lea grounded out. "Can't believe they picked out that one."

Isa suddenly scoffed with a smirk. "Well, they should've known better than to go with what Reno says, of all people. Really, it's Reno. Reno's an idiot."

They seemed to radiate with a type of self-satisfaction for quite a long time before Isa suddenly remembered his question to Miya from before. He wheeled around to make sure she was still there- which she was- and then repeated his question, "Hey, you coming with us to watch the race or not?"

Miya tilted her head to the side, and looked at the boy with a quizzical look. "But... I don't even know you two," she said raising her hands in the air and giving an exasperated sigh.
The two boys looked like a light switched on inside their heads, for their moths dropped open in an 'o' of surprise.

"Well..." said the blue haired boy. "I'm Isa... And this is my partner in crime, Lea. Better remember it, girl."

Miya huffed, "Don't call me 'girl'... My names Miya, and you better keep it straight." she said with a nod of her violet head.

"Yeah, yeah, Miya. We've got it memorized! Make sure you commit our names to memory okay?" Lea said with a cocky grin.

The little girl giggled at Lea and nodded "I'll make sure I get it memorized, Lea." she said smiling brightly.

Isa gave a loud sigh and rolled his eyes. "So, ya coming or not, Miya?"

After a few silent seconds Miya nodded her head. "Yes... I would like that."

The two boys smiled with relief. They spun on their heels, dashing off towards the tent flap marked as the exit. "C'mon, Miya!" Isa called over his shoulder as she did not follow right away. They soon heard the patter of her feet chasing after them.

The crowds around the track, which was not very far from the Chocobo pen, was dense with many people, their eyes riveted to the field, waiting anxiously for the race to begin. Chatter engulfed the ears of the children, most of it meaningless adult talk.

The boys were ecstatic to have a new companion at their side. They began showing her how they did things.

"Alright," Isa began, taking the position of leader. "You see those big guys over there?"

The other to kids nodded.

"Well, they're placing bets on whose gonna win."

Lea chimed in merrily,"Well we're going to bet too, and get rich off it and live in a nice house and everything, right Isa?"

Isa seemed to deflate slightly to Lea stealing his thunder. With a small roll of his eyes, he answered with a sigh, "That's right. If that bird wins, anyway." He gave Miya pointed look.

Miya looked around the stands area with wide amber eyes, taking in the site of seeing so many people in one place at one time. To a small child like Miya the site was more than huge... it was gigantic!

She diligently followed Lea and Isa through the crowd and listened as they began to educate her in their daily routines. Miya was quite fascinated with the things the two boys were showing her, and she was happy to see that they didn't seem to think she was a nuisance.

It made her smile remain plastered on her face.

"Alright," Isa began, taking a down-to-business tone. "You see those big guys over there?"

Miya nodded her head, looking in their direction.

"Well they're placing bets on whose gonna win."

Lea chimed in merrily, "Well we're going to bet too, and get rich off it and live in a nice house and everything, right Isa?"

Isa seemed to deflate slightly to Lea stealing his thunder. With a small roll of his eyes, he answered with a sigh, "That's right. If that bird wins, anyway." He gave Miya pointed look.

Miya giggled at Isa. His expressions were something she was finding amusing ever since she'd met him. She'd yet to see the playful fun side of Isa, so she hoped he wasn't always business and schemes, but she had to admit he was quite likable.

"Well, Isa, it's just as plausible that any other Chocobo may win. After all, you can't judge a book by its cover too much. That Chocobo just has a higher chance of winning than any of the others." She said with a shrug

"So... why exactly are you two trying to get rich?" Miya asked curiously. "Don't you two have parents or something to take care of you?"

The two boys seemed to wilt. They looked off to the sides of each other, shrugging off the question, seemingly. A stressing silence fell over the trio. Not even the loud voices of the people around them were able to make up for it. They didn't look like they were going to answer until Lea muttered under his breath, "What parents?"

Isa kicked at the ground with his foot absent mindedly. "Haven't got any," he said in a soft tone, shaking his head, a nervous gulp sounding from him afterwards.

Neither seemed willing to expand upon the matter after that. They completely dismissed the event as soon as Isa heard someone boasting about a Chocobo named "Stryker". Their Chocobo, he had noticed before the rival gang had stepped in, was named "Lantine." Eager to get away from Miya's question, he turned abruptly to listen.

"That thing was born to win," the man bellowed to one of his buddies. He was sitting on the stands, only a few feet away from the trio of children. Isa turned to the two others, his voice firm. "Stay here. I'm gonna get some riots started and get a few points racked in our favor. Lea, find a good seat. I'll find you two later."

Lea watched his friend walk up to the brute, tagging his bet with the famous scoff only Isa could do. He sighed faintly, looking to Miya, who still seemed flustered over the fact that they had no parents, which was true. He and Isa had no family but each other. Sure, they weren't related, but as close as families go, they were all each other had.

He didn't really remember his parents. He had been very young, their faces were only a blur now. Isa said the same thing about his. It wasn't any use trying to cling to those faces, the both of them had decided long ago.

"Remembering won't save us from starving to death or put shelter over our heads!" Isa had told him that once. He told him that whenever he brought up the topic of parents or family. The saying that Isa had hammered into his skull rang deeply as he looked at Miya. She didn't seem to understand. Her face was distraught and her eyes wide.

He was used to that look. Got it at school a lot when other kids found out. At least, when he went to school, which was only the first and last day. Seldom did they ever go throughout the year, and when they did, it was only because Isa had heard something interesting was going to happen there on that particular date.

Miya hung her head and fiddled with her hands, not even paying much attention as she rocked back and forth. Attempting to hide the dismayed expression on her face, and conceal her saddened amber eyes.

'N-no parents?' she thought sadly, 'that must be horrible...' Her young mind found it difficult to wrap around that concept and it made her shudder.

She jumped when she felt a strong hand fall on her shoulder and she peeked up slowly to see Lea standing in front of her, one hand on her shoulder and the other waving in front of her eyes.

"Yo, Miya! Snap out of it! Don't dwell on it, 'kay? It would just be awkward." Lea said with a heartened smile, which she couldn't tell if it was true or false.

"Okay," she said timidly, her rocking and fidgeting ceasing.

"Come on, let's go get seats. We want to get some good ones so we can see your prize bird win," he said taking her hand in his and leading her through the crowd.

Miya followed after him, sticking close to his side so that she wouldn't lose him amongst all these people. They soon found a spot in the benches up on one of the higher stands, and they sat down together and waited for Isa to return.

Lea seemed a lot better knowing that Miya was more at ease now. It wouldn't do good to have her so stunned. He kicked at the metal bleacher in front of him, emerald eyes seeming blank. He stared up at the track, huffing when he didn't see any jockeys.

Crossing his arms, he sat back. "Man, when are they going to start this thing already?" he thought aloud, sounding aggravated. He pouted there for a few moments, his brows drawn together in a "V". It wasn't long after he said that when he saw Isa struggling past a horde of people to reach them.

He was soon standing in front of the two children, panting. "Geez, it's gotten crowded," he noted with emphasis. "Nothing like last year "

Lea's eyes brightened. "How much cash did you rack up?"

"Well," Isa drawled; "if ours win, we'll have around two thousand munny from that Cid will owe us big time " He shrugged. "But I also got door-prize ticket, just in case. And a few-"

"Peel tickets?" Lea finished in a growl.

Isa gave a weak grin. "You never know "

Lea let the topic drop suddenly, his arms becoming limp in his lap. "Two thousand that's enough to get us some good food to last a month Or three, even "

"I know," Isa agreed heartily. "And maybe get a few extra things paid off too."

Miya looked at the two boys, admiration shining in her eyes at them, a smile spread across her little face. The little girl was impressed with these two young boys, not but a few years older than she was, and they seemed so... well independent and free. She wondered what it would be like to spend a day in their shoes.

She was silent as the two boys conversed about what they were going to use their hopeful winnings for, watching the track and the people in the crowd. Miya stood on top of her seat next to Lea, taking in the sites. She was attempting to see if she could find the three boys from earlier, and maybe even her father if he'd come to the race.

Miya spotted the boys easily, they were down by the track itself, the small black haired one sitting on the fence while the two older ones leaned against it. The eldest seemed to be in an intense conversation with a man. 'Must be making bets as well...' she mused sitting down in her seat.

Isa took his seat next to Lea, squirming in place with child-like impatience. He and his companion alike muttered about the race not starting on time, as there seemed to be an hour delay to them when in reality only about five minutes had past.

Fuse shortening, the fire suddenly simmered out and left when they saw the racing Chocobos and their respective riders enter the track and head to the starting gate. They stood up, trying to get a better view. Lea turned and tugged on Miya's wrist, "There's ours!" he exclaimed, pointing to the far end of the row of gates.

Isa seemed to fluff up with anticipation. "I swear, that bird had better win, 'cause for once, I'd like to go home with a pocketful of money and some things to gloat over and hang over them guys' heads!" He nodded towards the group of rivals at the fence, his lips rising in a snarl of disdain.

An announcer came over the loud speakers, rattling off the names of the birds, their jockeys and their numbers. The three of them rooted and squealed when they heard their own, Lantine, a handful of other people in the stands doing the same, as it was their pick too.

Then everything fell quiet. Everyone's eyes were riveted on the gate, watching the gigantic birds shuffle and cluck quietly at the end of the stretch. Everyone there seemed to draw in a breath, waiting.

The sound of a loud trumpet peeled across the field and the gates let open, a flurry of pounding feet kicking into the dirt roaring into sudden existence. The whole crowd cheered, bellowing encouragement to their chosen team. At last, the race had begun.

The three children sat on the edge of their seat as the race began, and the ten Chocobos blew through the starting gate and glided down the track. The first one out of the gate was a green tacked Chocobo named Jak, and it was fast. But soon Jak was over taken by Stryker and a brown tacked bird whose name was Glee.

Their Chocobo, the one Miya had praised for its shape, was on the far outside and about 8th in the race at that moment as they turned the first of four turns. Lea, Isa and Miya's gaze went between Lantine and Stryker, fingers crossed and breath's held in painfully as Lantine began to move up in the race.

Lantine was 5th coming around the second turn, and Stryker was 1st.

Everyone's attention was caught when Jak and Glee rammed into each other on the second turn, both birds and jockey's flying into a frenzy as they tried to remain upright. But there was no stopping the catastrophe and the remaining seven birds behind them seemed to have no hope of getting around.

But it was a miracle. Somehow Lantine and another Chocobo, blue tack named Sky, leapt and flew over the toppling birds.

Miya jumped up and yelled out in joy, the two boys staring awestruck by the fact their prize bird hadn't gotten out of the race.

Now it was the third turn, and Stryker was in 1st, Glee had fallen to 3rd and Lantine had burst into 2nd, Sky in 4th.

As the four birds rounded the fourth turn, Lea and Isa were clinging to each other's arms, stone stiff as they watched Latine and Stryker run for the finish line neck and neck.

They passed through the finish line! The announcer over the speakers proclaimed Lantine had won by a hair's breath! The crowd began to go wild and the two boys were standing there blinking dumbfounded.

Miya stood there watching them, giggling and squealing in joy.

Shock tore open on both of their faces. They were still clinging to each other's arms, mouths dropped down, completely speechless. As the last of Miya's giggles faded away, a sudden grin slowly spread onto Lea's face and the commotion of the crowd got to him. He sprung up, releasing Isa's hold on him and shouted, "We did it! We won!" He turned to Miya. His face lit up like the sun. He didn't know what else to say. He turned back around to Isa, completing a full rotation, and pulled him to his feet. "We won, Isa! We won!"

"We won " Isa murmured, still stricken. He sat there in disbelief, staring at the track, looking like a zombie. Lea slapped him on the back.

"Yo, earth to Isa " he hollered amusedly, "Did a zombie eat your brains while we were watching the race? Seriously dude, get a hold of yourself!"

It took a few moments to register, but when it did, he smirked with a snicker passing under his nose. "Tch. Well I'll be." He turned to stare at Lea, his eyes bright. "So we won."

"You bet we won!" Lea said, laughing as he realized the irony. He turned again to Miya and pulled her in between the two of them. "And it's all thanks to this one!"

Isa clapped her shoulder as she was reeled over. They basked in their victory for a few minutes, squealing over the pile drives and how close the other Chocobo had been to winning. Then Isa swung his head down and smiled.

"Hey, Lea. I got a job for you." The red-head looked up. "Huh?" Isa pointed down to the fence where Cid, Reno, and Zack still stood, as dumbfounded as they had been moments ago.

"Rub it in. I got to go collect our earnings."

And with another grateful look cast Miya's way, Isa rushed down the stands to meet with those that he had bet against

Both Miya and Lea watched Isa disappear into the crowd, once he was out of their sight the two looked at each other. Lea began to beam as he looked at the crazy little girl beside him. She'd been right, and for it they would be able to get some weight off their shoulders.

"So, ready to go humbly enlighten our friends from earlier that we won?" he said with a smirk looking at the group of boys down by the track.

Miya tilted her head to the side, a pondering look on her face, remembering how the two older had been a bit mean to her new friends. She nodded after a few moments.

"Sure," she said, following Lea through the crowd and taking his wrist in her hand and staying close.

They moved past the people attempting leave the stands, collecting bets from others, and those just staying to avoid the rush. It wasn't easy, but Lea had grabbed her wrist now, and his grip was stronger than hers.

Soon enough they reached the group of boys. Miya saw that the older two, Cid and Reno, where having a heated discussion. The black haired one, Zack if she remembered correctly was leaning against the fence watching the Chocobos in the distance, ignoring his friends.

"Hey don't feel bad, you two. You guys should know you can't always win. There's always next year," Lea said butting into their shouts.

"Although if you have Reno choose again you guys might fail every single time."

Reno sputtered to the insult, looking to Cid as if for permission to hit the child. Cid only stood there, glaring coldly down at Lea, his crossed arms hugged to his chest tightly. The tall teen rumbled, "You got lucky that's all. It's the first time you've ever won anyway. Don't rest on your laurels."

Lea wasn't too sure what "laurels" meant, but he shrugged it off, gloating, "Just luck, eh? Well, I bet if you knew anything about Chocobo's, you would've seen that your pick had much too stubby ankles for winning any race." He elbowed Miya softly as he repeated what she had told them about their pick.

Reno looked over his shoulder to stare at the field, seeing the red tacked Chocobos pecking at the ground where his rider had spread some rewarding feed. He looked back to Lea and snarled to himself, cursing under his breath.

Cid only rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He shifted through his pocket suddenly and brought out a wallet, flipping through its contents. He brought out a handful of coins and dropped it into Lea's open palm. "There. That's all I have on me right now. We'll have Zack send the rest over later, right Zack?"

The ebony-haired child raised his head, as if just realizing that his companions had stopped bickering. He sighed, "Okay, sure." Nodding to Lea he said to him, "I'll stop by tomorrow, a little before noon."

"And if you're not there, we keep the money," Reno chimed in with a puff of his chest. Cid pushed his shoulder in disagreement.

"Naw, naw, these lads won fair and square. We give them what they've earned." His blue eyes met Lea's and his gave a solemn dip of his head before spinning on his heels and stuffing his hands into his pockets. "C'mon boys, let's call it a day."

Reno gave Lea one more regarding stare before quickly trotting after the elder. Zack pushed himself off the fence and left as well, sticking close between the two. Lea looked back at Miya.

"Let's go find Isa," he suggested.

Miya nodded in consent, and moved close to him as they headed back into the crowd. The two heading up the stands to the exit, hoping that along the way or when they reached the top, they could see Isa.

The two walked in happy, blissful silence. Lea kept Miya protectively close as they weeded through the still dense crowd.

Once they got to the top Miya sat down on one of benches, a tired look on her face. Eyes a bit dim with exhaustion from all the excitement. She hoped Isa would return shortly and that perhaps soon she'd find her father and tell him of all the exciting things she did.

Isa found them quickly afterwards, his face beaming joyously. He ran up to them eagerly, showing the duo a total of four, burlap bags, each fat with coins from different people. He gave two of them to Lea, who hefted and tested their weight experimentally. He was satisfied, and let his palm tighten around the feel of nice solid munny. Both boys were grinning at each other with ecstatic faces.

They didn't need words to describe such happiness and they let it soak in for a few, Isa tossing the precious bag in one hand while looking at the dusk-brushed sky. As he did this, he looked at Miya studiously from the corner of his eye, his mouth forming the question aloud, "Hey, do you need to be getting back to your parents soon?"

Lea looked at her too and apologized, "Sorry, we're not used to the idea of 'curfew' so if you got one and you need to be somewhere "

Miya gave a slow nod. "Uhm... yeah," she said answering Isa question.

Standing up she brushed the skirt of her dress off and gave a light shrug "I dunno if I have a curfew... not quite sure what that is anyways." she said puzzled.

"Uhm... Well, a curfew is a time you have to be somewhere before one gets in trouble... or at least that's what some of the kids at school say. If they're late for their curfew their parent's ground them." Lea said rubbing his neck and taking her hand.

"So where are your mom and dad? Isa and I will escort you home." He said with a cheery grin.

Miya walked with the two out of the stands, and headed toward Fountain Square, were she informed them she had left her father. As they passed the park Miya watched the families, looking at them with a puzzled expression. For the first time Miya noticed that some children had two parents instead of one. And she was puzzled that they had more than just a father.

She wondered why they had a woman with them... was that what Lea had called a 'mom'?

Isa trailed on the other side of Miya, his mouth pursed as his turquoise eyes examined Lea from a glance. With a huff, he rolled his eyes and lolled his head to the opposite direction on the others. Lea's kindness was going to kill him one day; Isa swore it under his breath. The kid just had a knack for helping and Isa worried that someone would take advantage of that someday.

They ducked under the arms and legs of the taller pedestrians, nearly crashing into rolling stands of goodies and treats. As much as both boys wanted to stop and get some with their new munny, they resisted and refocused on getting Miya back to her family.

The town square suddenly became visible from between the gaps of buildings and arches. By the time they got there, it was night and the colorful lamps were what illuminated the rainbow pavement. The splashes of color reflected and bounced off of the fountains, their water droplets lit like mini disco balls.

Isa sidled up close to his group, leaning over to say to Miya, "Do you see your mom or dad anywhere?"

Miya breathed in deeply as she took in the warm, evening spring air and the lovely lights that were cast all over the place by the lanterns. Her tired little eyes glowed at the sight. After sufficiently taking in the lovely view Miya turned her attention to looking for her father.

She smiled when she saw both the figures of her father, and of Braig sitting on the edge of Fountain Square's main center fountain.

"PAPA!"

Miya jumped on her feet, waved her hand and then ran towards her father. As soon as she reached him she threw her arms around his legs and hugged him.

"WHOA! Miya! Hello, my dear! I was beginning to wonder where you were, and I was starting to worry," Ansem said picking her up and setting her in his lap.

"I'm sorry, Papa, but I've had-" she stopped mid-sentence and yawned "-such an exciting evening! I've made some friends, Papa!" Miya turned and looked at the two boys. "Papa, meet my friends Lea and Isa."

The two boys stared wide eyed at the tall man which Miya had embraced. Their mouths swung out on rusty hinges. They mouthed like fish, unable to speak. It took a while, but eventually, Isa was able to squeak, "K-King A-Ansem!"

They fell on their hands and knees, begging for mercy and other nonsense. After a bit, Lea poked his head up slightly and stared at Miya, his eyes still large and round.

"Your dad is the king!" "You never told us that!" Isa joined in with a hiss, giving her a withering glare. "At the least you should've given us a warning!"

For the whole time they had been worshiping their king, all had been silent, save for the festivities surrounding them. Then, slowly, a soft chuckle began to vibrate through the air, crescendo-ing from that to wild laughter. The boys looked over to see the dark-haired man sitting on the fountain slapping his knee and busting a gut. He nearly had tears coming out of his eyes.

"Ha, ha- I'm sorry, but I just can't- ha, ha, ha-oh, these two are just so funny!" the man tried to stifle his laughter, but when he saw that it was impossible, he only laughed more.

Miya blinked at the boys, obviously confused by the current situation and not understanding it at all. She looked between her father, Braig, and the two boys with confused, amber eyes. "Uhh... is it a big deal?" she asked quietly.

She turned and looked up at her father. "Papa, is it important that you're the King? And what's a King anyways?"

Ansem looked uncomfortable, with the boys on the ground looking like fools, Braig laughing hysterically, and Miya asking the question's he'd never really had intended to tell her. He supposed that he should've seen this day coming when she'd find out, but he'd hoped it would have been later than sooner. Having this knowledge of him being the King and thus making her the Princess... well he thought she'd feel alienated from other kids and never feel normal because of the titles.

But it's not like he could get out of it now.

"Well a king is a protector, and basically you could say is like a father to a large populated area. I'm the King of Radiant Garden's, dear. It is a bit important, but perhaps you should wait till you're a bit older to understand what it all really means." He explained, trying to shorten this explanation as much as possible and make her forget her question.

Miya sat there looking more confused than ever.

"I still don't understand, Papa..." she said with a distressed tone. "You're not any different from anyone else right?"

Ansem shrugged. "Well... I am a little bit... but not much. My job is just to watch out for all of Radiant Gardens as is my job and great pleasure to raise you." He said patting the top of her violet head.

"So... then why are Lea and Isa acting like they're having seizure?" Miya said looking over at them concerned.

With reverence and awe still in their eyes the boys gaped at her. Isa pointed up to Ansem. "He's the king! He governs the fate of our future!"

Lea nodded and continued for Isa, "Yeah, and he invents stuff for us to make our lives easier and, and " He drew his short brows together trying to think of something else that made Ansem so important. He shook his head vigorously. "He's the highest point on the pyramid of social class "

The two boys eyes dimmed slightly as their heads drooped in shame. "And we're on the lowest." It was Isa who said it, and his voice croaked as he did.

Braig's laughter had died down into what looked like him biting his lip so he wouldn't burst out again.

Miya still looked utterly confused, and it was all over her face. From the "O" shape of her mouth, to her eyes wide and puzzled. "Uhm... social pyramid?" she asked looking up at her father.

Ansem sighed and pulled Miya up onto his lap. "Oh Miya, don't worry about it, you'll understand when you're older."

"But Papa, I want to understand now! I feel, well, very clueless and... well..." she looked at Lea and Isa. "I want to understand what my friends are saying."
Ansem sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Alright, Miya, let me see... It's true that as King, which also makes you a princess, we are well, over everyone in Radiant Garden's. Braig is somewhere in the middle I would suspect... and these two boys..." he looked down at the two. "Need a bit of a reality check for one... but two... they are a bit lower... but social status doesn't affect us. As King, I have some responsibilities that mean I have to take my role seriously, but you and I are just like anyone else. I promise."

He set Miya down and looked between her and the two boys. "So, Miya... you don't need to worry about it. The boys are just a bit... shocked..."

Miya grinned and went over to Lea and Isa. "Did you hear that? It doesn't matter! I don't care I hope you guys don't!" she said happily.

As Isa dared to glower at Ansem for speaking for their emotions, Lea piped up, "No Miya, we don't mind at all." He glanced at Isa and elbowed him in the gut to return his attention to the current situation. Yelping, the smaller child looked up at Miya.

"Oh, right, of course not," he laughed, shooting Lea a glare as a silent promise that he'd take revenge on him later.

Miya beamed, happy that they had agreed to accept her even though she was a princess.

The two boys slowly got back up on their feet, brushing themselves off from having groveled in the pavement. Limited people were found in the square, as most of them had begun to depart back to their homes. Braig seemed to take notice of this.

"Hey, it's pretty late," he muttered to Ansem. With a short turn of his head he looked down at the boys, his sharp features suddenly appearing intimidating in the dimmed lighting. "You two should probably find your own parents."

They snorted, crinkling up their noses in a snarl. Lea looked away and Isa's gaze turned venomous.

Miya turned, and crossed her arms, a displeased dark expression on that usually happy glittering face of hers. She tapped her foot on the ground in a constant metronome. Her steely gaze focused on Braig.

"They don't have parent's Braig, they're independent citizen's of Radiant Garden's and don't need to worry about curfew. They make their own rules and live however they like." She said with a solid nod of her head.

"Also they are very brave," she said proudly.

Ansem absorbed this news quietly, watching Braig out of the corner of his eye, and the boys and Miya out of the other. So the first time she was able to make friends Miya somehow managed to befriend two young orphan boys. Boys in general were mischief... but boys with no structure or authority. Ansem wasn't entirely sure he wanted to encourage such... well, idea's and way of living into his daughter's life.

But... he couldn't see how it would hurt. Perhaps the boys would benefit having Miya in their lives.

The two children looked a little put off with having their history revealed in such a rash manner, but didn't protest in any way. Despite this, they caught the shock and tipped expressions of the adults, which made their faces etch deeper into displeased expressions.

Isa was the one to say, "We'll go home when we feel like it." His tone was audaciously defiant.

Braig lifted his chin, studying the little ones from the length of his nose. "I don't know, sir " he addressed to Ansem. "Maybe I should interrogate them." It was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Interra-what?" Lea asked, whispering into Isa's ear. The other boy shrugged, also confused.

Ansem had a thoughtful look on his face, rubbing his chin as he became deep in thought about many things dealing with these two boys. As a father of his own daughter he knew how close she could have had the same fate as Lea and Isa. As a father he felt a pain in his heart for these two boys and wished to do something to help them.

But he knew as the King he couldn't go and do something over the top, because then if the other citizen's noticed well they would expect more occurrence of the 'amazing'. Ansem wasn't particularly sure he wanted to take on such a responsibility; his focus was more on his invention to help the people, not doing something himself to help them.

That wasn't his strong area.

"Hmm...I think that might be a bit over the top Braig," he said with a chuckle. "I think they're just fine."

Miya gave a solid nod of her head, a fire gleaming in her eyes. "Yeah... you're not going to question them... after all, Papa said that our differences didn't matter"

Braig looked miffed. "I didn't- I was just kidding!"

Isa turned his head and sniffed, glancing at the king, "I don't need to be questioned on my social adequateness. Just because we're orphans doesn't mean we're bad kids."

Lea seemed to be thoroughly confused by Isa's terminology. "Can you cut out the big word?"

"I thought adequateness was two words."

As they muttered to themselves, debating on how many words "adequateness" was, Ansem and Braig studied them. When their hushed conversation ended with Isa winning their private debate, Ansem emitted a long sigh. "I didn't mean to indicate that you two were bad children, not at all it's just that Miya hasn't had anyone to play with that was her age and I think she really needs some friends right about now in this time of her life."

Isa snapped to alertness. "And you want us ?"

Ansem nodded. "If you don't mind."

A sudden glint came to Isa's bright eyes and his mouth curved into a sneer. "I think we can help each other out, Your Majesty "

The king quirked his brow. "Oh? How so?" Isa pressed his fingertips together in a business-like manner. "Well, sir, in all honesty, my colleague and I" he glanced to Lea, "as orphans, we don't fare off too well. We live in a little apartment-like house at the edge of the city that we actually do not own ourselves. We have to pay rent. Rent, I might add, we can't afford. And since we're kids, we're not allowed to get decent paying jobs, because even if we tried, they'd send us to the orphanage where Lea and I would be split up to families we don't even know. Also, if we get evicted from our home, the same could happen, or worse if we refused to return to the orphanage even under the threat of starvation." At this point he paused, waiting for Ansem to let everything sink in. "My idea is this, sir: we'll buddy-up with Miya here and show her the ropes to town and all, get her acquainted with the civilians, meet some other kids But in return, you owe Lea and me a little something " The boy rubbed his thumb and finger together in front of his face, indicating that he wanted something cash-like.

Lea gawked at him, mouthing for him to stop while shaking his head.

Ansem quirked an eyebrow at the boy, a fairly impassive expression on his face. 'This boy is a genius...' the mused to himself. Mentally Ansem was chuckling; the amusement of the situation was on a huge scale.

This blue haired nine-year old had some guts to make such a proposition to him. He had the persuasive tone of a serious business man, lawyer and perhaps even an extortionist done to a tee. And Ansem was highly impressed by the display.

The kid would make a good politician or ambassador someday.

"Well, I see no reason why not to except your proposal, young man." Ansem said putting his hands in his pockets and squaring his broad shoulders. "If you boys take care of Miya out here, and help educate her in the life of normal children you won't have to worry about rent till you boys become of the hirable age. Am I understood?"

Lea and Isa's jaws dropped. The hirable age in Radiant Gardens was fifteen. That was over five years of free, don't-have-to-worry-about rent. They stared at each other, too excited and dumbfounded for words. At a slug's pace, Isa moved his head back to look up at Ansem, his eyes bulging.

"Yes, sir! T-Thank you, sir!" Isa whirled around and gripped Lea tightly by the shoulders, nearly pressing his nose to his. "Lea! Did you hear that! No more rent!" Lea grinned and laughed. Isa pulled away from him, still bamboozled by the acceptance of his negotiation and stared up at Ansem. He didn't know if he should bow down and kiss his shoes or just shake his hand a billion times.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lea suddenly screeched, falling back onto his knees, holding up his arms in praise to the king.

Isa picked up his friend from the streamer-littered ground and shook him. "What's the matter with you? Have you no dignity?"

"What's dignity?"

The wild expression on Isa's face dimmed down. "... I don't know... But you don't have any."

Lea frowned. "How do you know I don't have any if you don't know what it is?"

Isa shrugged and let one hand slide off of Lea's shoulder, but the other one stayed. "What? Do you have a dignity on you that I don't know about?" When Lea shook his head 'no', Isa sniffed with a pleased smile, "Whatever. I just can't wait to tell that mean rent-guy, Jazz, that we don't need to pay anymore. He's going to be so mad!"

His friend nodded and giggled, "And then his face will get all red and funny and he'll start yelling at us and call us 'deranged hooligans' like he always does."

The two adults stood off to the side, observing the two boys, both with amused gleams in their eyes, whilst Miya sat down on the grass watching.

Ansem noticed his young daughter was fading fast, just like the little flowers did and nodded to Braig. "Braig, do me a favor and escort these boys back to their home and inform their landlord that these lads no longer need to pay rent. Let the man know that any debt they have racked up and will have for the next... hmm... 5 years will be covered by myself. I shall soon have it in writing if he asks if it's a scam or something along those lines."

The King nodded and turned around to pick up Miya, who rested her head on her father's broad shoulder. "I have to get this little flower tucked into bed before she wilts. You're going to have a big day tomorrow with Lea and Isa." he said with a grin.

Ansem then turned to the two boys and nodded. "I thank you both in advance."

The two children nodded at the King again respectfully, still beaming with the radiance of the sun, even though night had well past over them. Ansem turned with Miya in his arms, guiding her back to the castle. Braig huffed out a breath, his crossed arms suddenly unfurling as he stared down at the two boys.

"Well, I don't think we were properly introduced before." Braig cocked his head to the side. "I'm Braig, Miya's appointed bodyguard and babysitter." A small smile spread onto his face as his eyes tapered. "Which means that in the future, I'll probably have to watch you kids too."

They shuffled nervously under his ominous expression, looking away sheepishly, and murmuring under their breaths in response. Braig only chortled, "Don't worry, kiddies, I don't bite " With a shrug, he added, "Most of the time, that is."

Their gulps only amused him more. He looked over their heads into the darkness. "Well, children, why don't you start walking back to your place and I'll follow."

With a very eager spin of his heels, Isa twirled towards the town and paced off, Lea close to follow. Braig easily was able to keep up with their small pace with his long strides. It didn't take long before he was hovering right behind them. Lea hung back and looked up at him with wondrous green eyes.

"So Do you know a bunch of cool martial art skills or something?" he asked, blinking.

Braig stared at him and shrugged. "Not necessarily."

"Then how can you guard anything?"

He smiled. "I'm the best, most accurate shot in Radiant Gardens, kid. Nothing goes through me before I get it first."

Lea seemed mystified and stared ahead of him with a thoughtful expression. Isa's attention seemed to have been grabbed by that little piece of information. "So, if our landlord goes rampant on you, you'll be able to save us?"

That earned a hearty laugh from Braig. "Yeah, kid. I'll make sure no evil landlord touches you."

"He is evil," Lea muttered.

Isa nodded. "Yeah, note of advice for you," he began, "Jazz is really, really short tempered. If he starts getting red, run, or look intimidating." Isa rolled his eyes. "The intimidating thing doesn't work for us because we're kids, but we've seen the guy cower in front of the big people."

Braig tucked the information into his mind attentively before replying, "I'm sure it'll all go fine."

They arrived at the small house, connected to others like all of the houses in Radiant Gardens. There was a rickety-looking door with a window to the side and above it. The boys stopped in front of it. Isa peeked under a mat to pull out a key. They unlocked the door and stared into it's dark depths with blank expressions. Isa turned to Braig as Lea walked in.

"Jazz lives next door." He nodded to the left, where the next door resided. "Be careful not to get your head bit off." Braig nodded, and before Isa shut the door, the little blue-haired boy said shyly, "Thank you."

Then the door squeaked to a clicking shut, leaving Braig staring to the next house. With a sigh, he marched over and knocked on the door, stepping back a few paces with his arms crossed, his face masked with a dark, sinister glare.

When the door opened, a slim, short man stood there, his eyes sunken and tired. "What? What do you want?" he growled, taking in his disturber's appearance with a squinted gaze.

Braig proceeded to tell the man about Lea and Isa's new rent foundations and how Ansem would be paying it off from now on. As Isa had predicted, the man had become sour and snippy, trying to call it off as a scam. There was a little bit of a disagreement before Braig could settle the conflict with the promise of Ansem's letter arriving within the week to further detail the situation.

And with that, Jazz departed. Braig stepped away from the house and began tracking his way back. He hadn't gone far when he glanced to the boys' house, only to see the upper curtain flail and ripple when he did. He grinned to himself, stalking off towards his house back near the Fountain's Square.

As he approached his own door, key in hand, he couldn't help but sense as though something was watching him. Blinking, he took a quick glance around him, not seeing anything lurking. Then, he tipped his head up, finding it strange that there was a window wide open. Braig blinked at this monstrosity with a sideways look.

'That's Zuga's room, isn't it?'

He peered up towards the gutters, a form of legs dangling off the edge catching his eye. Braig rolled his eyes and sighed. "You shouldn't be playing on the roof, Swamp Monster. You could trip and fall."

He saw her face peer over the edge of the roof. She snorted. "I've had worse things happen."

Grinning he only admonished, "Just get inside before I decide to lock you out up there for the night."

She smirked and, with amazing speed, was able to swing herself back into her room and shut the windows tight.

Braig laughed to himself, peeling open his door and walking inside. He decided to talk to Master Xehanort and report what had happened while he was gone. He was probably peeved yet over how late he had stayed out. But he did get his fair share of information while there, conversing with the king.

Braig walked down the hallway towards the library to see if his master was in there pouring over any of the old tombs he'd acquired. The raven haired man pondered why the old man chose to keep his possessions split like he did; Xehanort lived in two different worlds. Though Master Xehanort spent most of his days with Braig, which he couldn't complain about, the old man had been a prominent figure in his life since he was a kid.

The sage had taught him a lot of useful things, from magic to just knowledge needed to make it through life. Master Xehanort was never a father figure... oh no... But he had been a mentor, and a very good one at that.

He wondered now that the Swamp Monster was part of their little group how things were going to change. Braig was a working man now, which made him feel very grown up. 'Yes... mid-twenties, and finally feeling like an adult... sad but true.' Braig mused to himself as he poked his head into the library.

Sure enough the wizened old man was in there, looking at a book on one of the tables, hunched over like he stood but only sitting.

Braig rapped his knuckles on the door frame, waiting for his master to acknowledge him.

Master Xehanort flapped his hand in indication of his presence being known. As Braig stopped a few paces behind his master, the old man growled in his rasping voice, "You were gone a long time..." He turned his head away from the book and stared at his apprentice with haughty golden eyes, one of his brows raising slightly. "I hope you weren't enjoying the festivities too much."

Braig smirked and went on to reply in playful banter, "Oh yes, sorry! That fishing booth just really gets me to lose track of the time."

The old man only grumbled something under his breath. He swivelled back to his book and flipped the page. "I would hope you got some useful information on your excursion, seeing that you've been gone since noon."

The younger man shrugged and folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah, I got in a really deep conversation with the king. Good news: I got that job he proposed to me. Gotta babysit his squirt for him and all." He smiled to himself. "And he told me a lot about the castle security and how it operates... Guards got to know this stuff, you know?" He tapped his temple with a finger. When Master Xehanort continued to seemingly tune him out and stare rather fixedly at the scripts in front of him, Braig sighed and continued, "And well, the security is really poor... There are literally no people posted at any gate or door. But, that will change once I start... Apparently, there will be more guards other than me working around the castle, due to the King's concern of the Heartless' sudden appearance."

The old man's shoulders shook slightly. "Courtesy of none other than yours truly." His eyes slid towards the other man. "And... there's just something odd about that little girl."

His master's ability to get juicy information so quickly never ceased to amaze Braig. "Miya? What about her?"

Master Xehanort only shrugged and muttered, "Don't know. There's just something strange going on around her. Keep a very close eye on her, Braig."

He grinned. "That's what I'm getting paid to do now, so no worries there."

The old man sighed, "Just remember the mission. Learn the walls of that place from the inside out. Befriend the people within those walls. These components will only make it that much easier to take over." His voice steeled suddenly. "We need that lab and its technology." He finally lifted his hand and closed the book abruptly. With a stiffened motion, he stood from the desk and walked out of the room, the book in his hand.

"So... What should I do now?" he called out as the last of his master's form rounded the corner.

"Whatever you please," was the answer he gave.

Braig stood there as the steps of his master faded up the stairs, mulling over the possibilities. He wasn't quite tired yet (probably still needed to recover from all the excitement), but he was a little hungry, considering that he hadn't gotten much of anything at the festival. Shrugging off other problematic ideas that involved his very dire mission, he headed towards his kitchen, kicking off his boots on the way to relieve his aching feet.

The snack of choice was just a small apple. He wasn't in the mood for something fancy. He leaned up against the counter lazily, munching quite contently on the morsel of fruit. He had taken only his third bite when the Swamp Monster suddenly appeared at the foot of the stairs, her face suddenly spreading into surprise. She recovered quickly and shook her head, clearing her throat.

"I have questions," she said in a rather demanding tone.

"And I have answers, though they might not be the ones you're looking for," he said through a mouthful.

Zuga gawked at him, seeming confused. She stiffened and cocked her head, ignoring his sarcasm. "Your society... What is your class pyramid?"

Braig stared at her blankly. "Uh... What?"

She huffed, "How is this place organized? What is the structure that you people classify yourself as?"

"You mean like, what social status we have?" he asked, blinking.

"Yes." She seemed exasperated with him.

Braig lifted the hand holding his apple. "Well, for starters, we classify our people by how much money they have. I'm in the middle, probably more towards the top-ish. The people with less money are below, and the King is at the very, very top."

"Who's on the bottom?" Her accent was still distinguishable, even though Braig could tell she was trying really hard to mask it.

"The poorest people," was the simple reply he gave.

Zuga's shoulders slumped down a little. "Is there any difference in class between your men and women?"

Braig shook his head. "Nope. Why? Is there in your world?"

She nodded slowly, staring vacantly at the wall. Instead of explaining more, she switched over to a new topic. "And those big birds... What do you call them?"

He didn't know why she seemed so avid in asking so many questions at this particular point in time, but he answered nonetheless, "Chocobos."

Her eyes blinked and she pursed her lips for a brief moment. "Is that your main way of travel? Riding those things?"

"That or walking."

Sparks of understanding seemed to take root. She nodded again, then her brow furrowed and she looked back at him, as if in utter disbelief. "So there really are no differences between your men and women?"

Her persistence on the topic made him laugh. "Yes, Swamp Monster, no differences. It's all fair here."

She still looked confused but let it go. Her fingers tapped on the counter in thought and she drunk in all that she had just learned with silence. After a minute she looked up and seemed to finally register her own presence within the room. With a quiet murmur of thanks, she fled back up the stairs on silent feet.

Braig waited for the sound of her door clicking shut before pushing himself upright and finishing the rest of his apple. He had a long day tomorrow; might as well get rested up for it.

---

AN3: So tell me what you thought of day 2, what was your fav part, who's your fav new charrie, want to do you think of zuga and miya? do you like the story? any criticism? critique? please tell me!