Hi!

Yeah, it's another update, finally!

Sorry that it's so late... I didn't mean for it to be, things just caught up with me (ie school -.-)

Disclaimer: I Don't own anything here. If I did, the game would have better dialogue -.-

"My Queen, are you awake?"

"... Yes." Garnet slowly sat up in the luxurious four-poster bed, staring down at her knees. "I did not sleep well at all last night..."

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that." Beatrice sighed sympathetically as she walked towards the bed. "Do you think you are well enough to get up this morning?"

"Yes, yes." Garnet sighed tiredly, before pushing back at the heavy, silken covers. She stroked the crimson silk sadly, fighting back tears. I would much rather be sleeping in a moogles tent. Or even just camping under the stars, if I were to have Zidane at my side...

Wash, dress, brush, powder, paint. It was a tedious, monotonous job, but Garnet was forced to go through it every morning, if she wished to leave her room. As Beatrice put the finishing touches on her hair, Garnet stared at herself sadly in the ornate mirror. Her face seemed too white with the make-up, lips too red. Her hair, which was an inch or so past her chin, was pinned back, pulling painfully at her sensitive hairs at the nape of her neck. She longed to wear it down, short, uneven, and all, but Beatrice would never hear of it. It was not a "Queenly" appearance by a long shot.

"Are you ready for your tour today?" Beatrice caught Garnet's eye in the mirror. The General forced a weak smile. "I know you don't want to, but the entire town is so excited to meet you. You cannot let them down."

"I know that." Garnet nodded. "My people are more important than my feelings. All the same..." She looked at the older woman hopefully. "Have you heard anything from Tantalus? Have they sent a mognet or transmission, or..." Her shoulders slumped as Beatrice shook her head. "O-Oh..."

"Don't worry." Beatrice said consolingly, patting her shoulder. "It's been three weeks, there's still hope."

"Barely." Garnet stood up, straightening her dress. "I have to give up and move on, I know, but..." She bowed her head, trying to stem the burning lump in her throat. "W-Why? I-I just don't know..." She dug her palms in her eyes, trying to quell her tears. Beatrice rubbed her back comfortingly, lost for words.

"I'm being ridiculous." The Queen sniffed, straightening herself. "I have to stay strong for my people... But it's hard."

"I know it is." She said soothingly, guiding the young woman to the doorway. "We'll just take it slowly today, all right? If you feel like it's too much, we can just come back, all right?"

"Yes." Garnet nodded weakly. The blonde smiled, the pair walking side by side down the marble hallway. Garnet trailed her fingertips along the railing thoughtfully. The carpet, a brilliant deep red, was thick and new, a marked change from the dusky pink hue of her mothers'. Garnet had felt that, since the castle was almost completely destroyed, restoring the interior to pink, a colour she personally hated, was more expensive, and least meaningful than the new carpets and drapes which now bore her name.

"Are you hungry?" Beatrice turned to regard Garnet, who shook her head. In actuality, she just felt completely hollow. "You sure? Quina has been asking to cook you a feast for almost a week."

"... Tonight." Garnet nodded. "I promise that I will be up to eating." She sighed. "I shouldn't be so rude. The poor thing hasn't been the same since..." She trailed off, and took a deep breath. "Yes." She cleared her throat. "Shall we go?"

Beatrice looked at the young Queen helplessly, not knowing what to do.

"Why are you still awake?"

"Why are you?" Blank countered, not shifting his gaze from the slowly lightening sky.

"I don't sleep much." Mikoto admitted, taking a seat beside Blank in the soft grass. "And I'm a bit edgy."

"'Bout Zidane?" Blank closed his eyes for a moment, but he knew Mikoto was nodding. "Same. It's just..." He slowly sat up, sighing. "I... Didn't expect it to end this way. I mean, if he doesn't pull through." The male added hastily. "I'm hoping for the best, but..."

"The mages have done all they can." The blonde pointed out. "He's breathing on his own, if nothing else... Have you been to see him yet?"

"... No." Blank shook his head. "I... I don't want to."

"Why not?" Mikoto frowned. "I thought you two were close."

"We were!" He screwed his eyes up for a second. "Are." He rectified himself, shaking his head. "I've seen him in this awful state for almost a week... I don't know how much more I can take."

"I can't sway your opinion." She shrugged, and stood up. "The human mind is most confusing... Why don't people ever just say what they mean?"

"... Because it's hard." He muttered under his breath as the girl walked away. But how would she know, growing up with just two other people, both insane to talk to? No wonder she was so socially awkward. Blank brushed at his clothing as he stood up, and then, squaring his shoulders slightly, started off towards the Inn in the village. As he pushed the door to enter, Cinna and Ruby burst out, making Blank jump.

"What the hell?" He gasped. "Scared the... Where are you two going?"

"Bed." Cinna yawned tiredly, arching his back in a stretch. "C'mon Ruby, back to the ship and catch some shut-eye before morning comes..."

"What?" Out of nowhere, it seemed, Mikoto had stepped out of the shadows into the light of the open door. "You're guests of the village, no? I'm sure we can find somewhere for you all to sleep in town."

"Weeelll... On'y if yer sure..."

"I am. Come on. Mr. 288 has a pretty big house, you could probably find somewhere to sleep..." Blank left the three behind, before pushing into the inn, walking through the lobby, and into the bed room, where Zidane was under the blankets in the bottom bunk. On top, Marcus lay, snoring lightly, and Baku sat on a chair at the head of the bed. Vivi was perched on the end, tracing a gloved finger in absentminded circles along the coverlet.

"Well, aren't you a cheery bunch." Blank pulled up the stool from the lobby, then sat down. Baku only gave him a dismissive grunt. "Any change?"

"Nope." Vivi's voice was trembling. "Hasn't moved, talked, even breathed differently... M-Mr. 64 said it was something that happens to humans when they hurt their head really badly... They go to sleep to try and repair themselves and sometimes... Never wake up." Vivi's hand stilled on the coverlet, and clenched into a fist.

"Vivi, why don't you get some sleep?" Blank suggested. "It's really late... And you're just a kid, you need your sleep you know."

"I'm fine." Vivi insisted. "I-I don't wanna leave Zidane yet. What if he..."

"If anything changes, I'll come and get you." Blank offered. "Go sleep and come back in the morning. I don't think Zidane will be waking up anytime soon, don't..." He trailed off. Don't worry. What a stupid thing to say...

"... All right." Vivi finally agreed, his shoulders slumping. "I sleep with Mr. 288. So if... If anything changes, then you come and get me, okay?"

"I promise." Blank said as Vivi nodded, and slowly climbed off the bed. "You get sleep. You need it at your age..."

"Actually, I'm very old for a Black Mage." Vivi contradicted the bandit. "I know I'm only nine, but in Mage years that's... Well, eight years longer than expected already..."

"Really?" Blank was surprised. "They only live for a year?" Vivi nodded, by this stage at the doorway. "Hell. Go sleep, okay?"

"Okay." Vivi nodded, before leaving the room. Blank sighed, and made to lean back, but remembered it was a stool, catching himself in time.

"Only a year." Blank mused. "How long does Vivi even have left?"

"Focus, Blank." Baku muttered from his chair.

"Oh, Boss!" Blank perked up a little. "I thought you'd fallen asleep!"

"Nah, not a chance." Baku rubbed at his nose, feeling a sneeze approach. "Too anxious. If he dies at this point..."

"... Yeah." Blank rested his elbows on his knees, head in his palms. ".... So, uh, Boss?" He ventured after a minute or so of silence.

"Hm?"

"Were you... Were you this worried about me? After I got caught in the forest and all? I mean, you didn't really wait around before coming to get me... Did you?"

"Well, let's be fair." Baku sighed. "First, we had to get the hell out of the forest, and then back to Lindblum, all without an airship. Then, when we got there, we did have a bit of trouble, what with there being a world crisis and all. Then, we had to make our way to Treno, on foot, I'll add, to get the Supersoft and cure you, and then Marcus had to walk it back to the Forest and get you out. It was a very tedious business Blank."

"Glad to know I was worth it." Blank couldn't help but smile.

"'Course you are." Marcus mumbled sleepily from the top bunk.

"He's right." Baku's voice had taken a different tone. It was almost... Nice? "I'll never leave any member of the gang behind, as long as I live. I even offered to pick Ruby up, but she was having so much fun with her own theatre..." He trailed off. "In answer to your question, we did the best we could, as fast as we could. Just like the time Marcus got locked up in the cells at Burmecia. Remember that?"

"I bloody do." Marcus muttered. "Six weeks. Six weeks, Boss!"

"Yeah, yeah." Baku sighed. "Believe it or not, simply breaking in just wasn't an option. We're lucky Zidane knew that Dragon girl, whatever her name is... You'd probably still be in there otherwise."

"Don't say that." Marcus slowly sat up. "Burmecia was destroyed by Kuja and Brahne, remember?"

"Everything was destroyed by Kuja." Blank muttered.

"Ah, don't get down." Baku tried to console his comrade. "Blank, you've been moping for over three weeks. Cheer up, will ya? Zidane's alive, all evil is gone, and everything in the Mist continent is being rebuilt."

"I know, I know." Blank sighed. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I used to be so easygoing. Cinna was the worrier."

"People have their way of dealing with things." Marcus offered, his legs dangling over the side of the bunk. "Some try to laugh it off, some drink themselves stupid, and some mope." He shot Blank a smirk. "Guess you're the mopey kind."

"Oh, shut up." Blank shot Marcus a glare. "That's not how it is. I'm just a bit worried, ya know? We still don't even know if Zidane will pull through."

"I know." Baku cut in, a serious tone in his voice. "I wanted to talk to everyone about this, but the others can wait."

"What is it, Boss?" Marcus frowned. "You sound real serious."

"I am." Baku sighed. "Look. I know we're happy about Zidane still being alive, but I don't wanna tell anyone else yet."

"What, you mean like his friends?" Blank asked. "... You mean Garnet?"

"If he dies, and she gets her hopes up for nothing, it would be the most devastating thing." Baku said simply. "Normally, I would be all for it, trust me, but she's Queen, remember? She has to rule a country. She can't be flying out here to stay beside Zidane's bedside, especially if he dies."

"So we lie to her." Blank muttered, his hands clenched.

"No, no no." Baku sighed. "It's not lying. We just don't tell anyone anything, until we're sure, that he's either gonna be okay or he's... Yeah."

"... What if he does die, and no one gets to say goodbye?" Marcus suggested. "Come on, you know they're in love. You said yourself how cute it was."

"I know, I know." Baku said gruffly. "And think of the money. But..." He recollected his thoughts. "If he dies, he dies." He said bluntly. "And that's the very sad fact. What if we send a message to Garnet, and he dies before she even gets here? She would probably lose it, and Alexandria doesn't need that right now. It needs a ruler."

"Aren't you being responsible." Blank remarked. "So, lying about Zidane is for the good of Alexandria?"

"Strange as it sounds, yep." Baku looked up at Marcus. "I might doss down for a bit. You gonna move, or do I have to squash ya?"

"I'm moving, I'm moving!" Marcus yelped, before leaping down to the floor clumsily, with a thud. "Ow!"

"That was skilled." Blank chuckled, before standing up and taking Baku's seat beside the bed."

"Yep." Marcus groaned as he stood up, wincing. "Hey! Seat stealer!"

"Deal with it." Blank muttered, shifting his attention to Zidane. Aside from the bandages, the unusually pale skin, the thin face, the bruise-coloured shadows under his eyes, and the numerous scratches and grazes, he could almost pass for just sleeping.

"You're one lucky bastard." Blank mumbled to himself, before leaning against the back of the chair, closing his eyes.

Colours.

Zidane groaned, trying to focus throughout the flashes and whirls of so many different colours, blues, reds, oranges, greens...

His head hurt.

Was he sitting up? Lying down? Floating? Hovering? Zidane had no idea what was going on. He just felt... Suspended. In a sea of nothing but flashes of colour.

And black.

Threads of black began to join the clashes, stretching out, expanding, threading like a web across the colour then slowly engulfing it, creeping across like a... Mist...

Zidane cried out in pain, trying to hold his hands to his head, but realising they couldn't move. It felt as though his brain was melting inside his skull, or simmering, ready to explode. What was going on?

Then there was a flash of white, and for a long time, Zidane felt nothing.

"Thank you." Garnet nodded to the Alexandrian Soldier, who nodded and bowed.

"Come, my Queen." Beatrice gently led Garnet from the golden rowboat, and past the high stone archway. As she entered the town, flanked by Beatrice and Steiner, the young Queen began to make her way into the city. As she passed, villagers stopped and stared, removing their caps and bowing their heads in respect. She smiled and waved as much as she could, but Garnet was having some real issues.

"Oh." She gasped as she stood in one of the squares, holding a hand over her mouth. It looked so much... Nicer, than before. The Inn looked much more patched up than it had previously, the Weapons' shop was coming along nicely, and even the flower stall had opened up again, albeit with a much more limited range. "So much is still left to do..."

"Yes, but so much has been done." Steiner attempted to console the young woman. "Some trade with Treno has recently opened up, and the Items' store is almost as good as new again."

"... How are the villagers' holding up?" Garnet turned to ask her two closest confidantes, aware of the gathering stares and whispers she was getting.

"Oh, they are fine." Beatrice said almost dismissively. "You don't need to worry, they will be good-"

"I mean their homes." Garnet cut in. "Are they being rebuilt at the same speed as the castle and the town centre? I would hate to think of them still being homeless... I want to go and have a look."

"My Queen-"

"Please, Steiner." Garnet cut over the man. "These are my people, and I want to make sure they are receiving adequate shelter. That is not wrong."

"Yes, but-"

"Glad to know that we are settled then." Garnet began to walk through the square, the slowly increasing crowd of people parting to make way for her.

"No, Garnet, please." Beatrice caught up with her, and rested a hand on Garnet's shoulder, but she merely pulled away, making her way on to one of the main residential streets.

"Oof!" Almost immediately, a small girl, who wasn't looking where she was going, bumped into Garnet, knocking herself to the ground. "Sorry." The little girl pulled herself into a standing position, craning her neck to see who it was. "You look pretty." She said bluntly, and beamed.

"Why thank you." Beatrix and Steiner exchanged glances as Garnet crouched down a little to talk to the child better. "And so do you." The girl giggled. "Where do you live, child?"

"Weell... My Mama and Daddy and I used to live by the church, but that was all knocked down so, now we live with Grandma and Grandpa." She wiped at her running nose, smiling again. "Where do you live?"

"Oh, around." She pointed vaguely to the castle. "Where is your grandparent's house?" She liked small children, and was often sad that she didn't have any little cousins, or other relatives to talk to. True, she had Eiko, but she was far too strong and independent to be considered a proper child, really...

"Just over there!" The girl turned and pointed. Garnet frowned as she straightened up, and was able to properly look at the street. It was ruined, with bits of houses littering the road, the homes partially, if not completely, demolished. The young woman raised a hand to her mouth, eyes burning with tears as she realised what her citizens were being forced to live in. The little girls' home in question was nothing more than a tent which had been pitched on a clear piece of land outside their ruined house.

"This is simply awful..." The little girl had run away, and Garnet bowed her head. "I-I had no idea things were this bad..."

"Garnet, I am so sorry you have to see this, I-"

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" She cried out, turning on Beatrice and Steiner, aware of the gazes she was getting from the townspeople. "My people are suffering and you... You kept me in ignorance?"

"You've been so depressed lately, with the loss of Zidane, we didn't want to make you feel worse-"

"My people are more important than him right now!" Garnet argued. "I have almost accepted that he is gone... You cannot hide this monstrous poverty from me Beatrice. And you Steiner. How could you?"

"Please, my Queen." Steiner pleaded. "We only had your interests at heart."

"My interest is to have the people in their homes again as soon as possible." She had never before sounded this angry to Beatrice and Steiner. She was absolutely appalled that the people she had sworn to protect and save were being forced to live in ruined shells of houses, or worse, in tents, being forced to repair their homes without the proper tools, or even hot food. She felt disgusted with herself, thinking of her luxurious bed in her Queenly room, which had been replaced almost instantaneously after the attack, whilst some people were still sleeping on makeshift mattresses.

"Garnet-"

"No." Garnet turned away from the pair, and to a pile of wreckage. Carefully, hiking her skirts so they would not tear, the Queen made her way to the top of the pile, a makeshift balcony, where she could address her agglomerating people. "Attention!" She called in a loud, clear voice. "And this is for every citizen in Alexandria. Let this message be sent to all those it effects in my kingdom!" She cleared her throat, not looking at Beatrice and Steiner, instead, staring at the crowd of citizens that quickly flocked around her in excitement and anticipation. "It has recently come to my attention that many of you are still living in extremely unsatisfactory living conditions! As your Queen, I am shocked and outraged that his has been concealed from me, and I assure you, that from now on, this will no longer continue!" A cheer rose up from the audience. "So, I hereby declare, that all those who are forced to live in sub-standard housing right now, and are not receiving enough food, and medical treatment, I open the doors of Alexandria Castle to you!" A ripple of gossip ran through the crowd. "I promise, I will find beds, food, and medicine for you all in my own lodgings, until you have repaired your own homes as best you can!"

The audience erupted into loud cheers, young boys fled to spread the news to others throughout the town, and Steiner and Beatrice exchanged uneasy glances. As she slowly made her way back down to the ground, aided by adoring subjects, a cry of "Long live Queen Garnet!" rose through the crowd. Garnet had never before seen the people so overjoyed, so happy and relieved that they were getting the help they needed. She felt ashamed and guilty that the most basic needs of her people were being ignored, whilst she still lived in luxury.

"My Queen..." Beatrice leaned in to whisper in Garnets' ear as soon as she could. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I'm not sure you would have the room to accommodate everybody..."

"Nonsense." Garnet said resolutely. "I will find places for all of these people. They deserve my protection and security, Beatrice. If I do not help them the only way I can, then what kind of Queen am I? The time for being self-centred is over. I have to put Zidane out of my head, for now, My people come before him, Beatrice. As much as it hurts to say so..."

"... If you are sure this is right." Steiner finally muttered stiffly.

"It's so nice here." Ruby murmured as Blank took a seat beside her. She looked away from the periwinkle sky for a moment, to gaze at him, before returning her stare to the heavens. "Quietlike. Ya don' get that anymore."

"Yeah." Blank sighed, sprawled across the ground. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Better." Ruby sighed. "Did yer sleep well las' night, or..."

"I've been at Zidane's side since before dawn... I might have a nap in the afternoon." Blank looked over at Ruby, who slowly sat up.

"Yer sound better." She gave Blank a smile. "Something must 'ave improved."

"Zidane has." Blank returned the grin. "He's starting to look a little better. I'm a little less... Mopey, I think it was called. What Baku and the others said was right. We got Zidane back safely, and he might live."

"Aww." Ruby wrapped her arms around Blanks shoulders in a quick hug. "Good t' see yer bein' a bit more like yerself again."

"Thanks." Blank patted Ruby's arms for a moment, before she released her hold. "Glad to know I sound so cheery."

"C'mon." She stood up, reaching her arm out to the man. "We can go see him fer a bit." Blank got up by himself, and grabbed Ruby's wrist as she tried to walk away towards the village.

"I don't think much will have changed." Blank pulled her towards him, taking her other hand. "Let's just... Stay here for a while, hm?"

"An' do what?" Ruby's eyes widened. "Blank!"

"Hey, you're the one with the filthy mind!" Blank held his arms up in defence. "I just wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet with you. But if you wanna leave, then be my guest." Blank lounged on the grass, looking up at Ruby.

"Oh... Damn yer." Ruby sat down on the grass once more, shaking her head. "Blank, whut do yer want? Really?"

"Nothing." Blank said as innocently as he could. "I just wanted to sit here and enjoy the quiet with you, is all."

"... Yer different." Ruby frowned. "Why are yer so... Happy?"

"I told you." Blank sighed in exasperation. "Just the whole... Things are looking better." He looked down at his hands. "Am I not allowed to be happy now?"

"Oh course yer are!" Ruby laid a hand on Blanks' shoulder. "It's all I've wanted fer so long now."

"I was thinking a lot more clearly this morning." Blank gave a wan smile. "Must be the insane lack of sleep." He rested his head on Ruby's shoulder, and let out a jaw-cracking yawn.

"Sleep then." Ruby sighed.

"Mmm... I'm not tired though." Blank stared at a spot in the clearing several feet away. "Just... More at peace... If you get me."

"I get yer." Ruby smiled fondly. "Then geddoff." She shoved at Blank playfully, but the man held fast. "Oi!"

"It's comfortable." Blank murmured. Ruby rolled her eyes, and quickly slid out from under him, darting away with a smirk. "Hey!"

"Aha." Ruby said smugly, flicking her hair back over her shoulders. "Whut yer gonna do now?"

"You... !" Ruby squeaked as Blank tackled her to the ground. "There."

"Blank!" Ruby protested. "Get off!" She pushed and beat at him, but to no avail. "Blank!"

"Mm, Stay still." Blank was half-sprawled over Ruby's back and shoulders, half on the ground. "You're a good pillow."

"Blank!" Ruby yelped again, managing to wrestle free of the man. "Yer little-"

"Bobby Corwen!"

"Come back here!"

Ruby gasped as the half-grown chocobo burst into the clearing, and bounded up towards the human pair.

"Boby Corwen!" Blank winced as the juvenile chocobo leaned down towards them, sniffing cautiously. Two Genomes had run to catch the large bird, who squawked happily when they approached. "Come here, boy." The girl started to walk cautiously towards Bobby Corwen, who took a whiff of the air. "Please?"

"I got him." Blank snatched at the dangling leash that had clearly slipped from the Genome's hand. "Here." Ruby watched as Blank slowly led the chocobo back to the pair. "Keep a better hold on him, Chocobo's can wander really far if they're let off."

"Ooh, I hate the things." Ruby grimaced, earning a chuckle from Blank. "Whut?"

"Thank you." The male Genome nodded. "We're supposed to walk him, but I'm not sure where..."

"Just go around the village a few times or something." Blank suggested. "Unless you can fight, I don't think you should enter the outer part of the forest."

"Okay, thanks." The Genomes nodded, and turned to leave the clearing. "Sorry to have disturbed you."

"No, thank yer." Ruby stood up, and brushed herself off. "I'm gonna go an' see Zidane fer a bit. Yer okay her?"

"Mmm, Okay." Blank nodded, stretching out on the grass, staring up at the sky. "I'll see you a bit later on."

"'Kay." Ruby looked down at the stationary male. "Glad to see yer doin' better, Blank."

"MMmm.." Blank mumbled in assent, before closing his eyes, fighting back a yawn. It is so nice and quiet here, you almost feel like you're... the only...

Blank was fast asleep in seconds.

Solid ground?

Almost crying with relief, Zidane pulled himself up onto his knees, wincing. He felt... Odd. Smaller, somehow. Looking down at his hands, Zidane's eyes widened in surprise at the short, stubby fingers.

Am I... A child?

Zidane rubbed at his eyes, digging his palms into the soft folds of skin. What was going on? Is this a dream? Or... A memory...

"This is it." Zidane groaned, blearily looking up into the face of...

Kuja.

"Any last words, you little brat?" Zidane gasped as Kuja grabbed at the back of his shirt, twisting his head back to look up at the white-haired man. His features were softer, more rounded... Younger.

This is a memory...

"Lemme go!" His voice came out as a high squeak, his heart seizing in fear. As Kuja lifted him into the air, Zidane stared around himself, panic-stricken. The sleek, blue-green walls looked familiar...

The Invincible.

"NO!" Zidane screamed, as the bottom of the ship rotated open, a small hole large enough for him to fall...

"Call me the reject." Kuja hissed in Zidane's ear. "Let's see how you like this Garland, your little prodigy, lost to the oceans of Gaia."

"STOP!" It was useless, the blonde knew, struggling uselessly against Kuja. Everything felt so hazy... His head still hurt.

And a moment later, Zidane was falling, the stormy waters of the Gaian ocean, rushing up to meet him. Struggling to collect himself, Zidane hid his head behind his tiny arms, preparing for the plunge...

Then he was back in the pit of blackness, suspended in a pool of nothing.

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" Cinna asked cautiously as he left the Inn, noticing Mikoto standing at the small bridge, staring at the little gurgling stream.

"Oh." Mikoto regarded the bandit briefly, then looked back down at the brook, hands taking a grip on the railing. "Just looking at the water... It was always still on Terra."

"What, you never had a stream?" Cinna stood beside the girl, following her gaze towards the stream. Mikoto shook her head, curling her fingers tighter around the wooden rail. "At all?"

"Or sunlight." She murmured. "Wind... Rain... Stars."

"Wow." Cinna frowned. "Sounds like hell."

"It was." Mikoto agreed. "Especially when all I had to talk to was either Garland or Kuja, both of whom didn't want much to do with me."

"Eh, they're both nutcases." Cinna tried to cheer the Genome up. "You'll find way more interesting people here."

"I suppose." Mikoto finally tore her eyes away from the water. "But the Mages aren't anywhere near as knowledgeable as they like to think. They don't even understand the concept of death..."

"Hell." Cinna breathed under his breath, watching as Mikoto rubbed tiredly at her eyes.

"Neither do the Genomes." She shrugged. "But hey, they're immortal, so what does it matter to them?"

"They are?" Cinna was surprised. "How? And what do you mean 'they'? You're not?"

"Nope. Neither is Zidane." Mikoto murmured. "Thank goodness. Immortality would be a curse. The others are just vessels. They have no souls, no individual thought. They were created to live forever."

"Oh." Cinna didn't really know what else to say. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry for me." Mikoto muttered. "Be sorry for them. Zidane had this stupid idea that if they learned enough about Gaia, they'll grow a soul or something... How does that even work? It doesn't. There's no hope for them. They'll just wander here forever."

"Aren't you a bucket of sunshine." Cinna frowned. "Zidane might be right."

"No." Mikoto shook her head. "He was just a very small child when he left Terra. He didn't get endless lectures from Garland about his supposed 'mission'. Trust me, I know the Genome. This is how they'll remain, forever." She sighed. "I don't know what to do."

"You don't have to do anything." Cinna regarded the girl with mild surprise. "I mean, you're still young. You're not going to spend your entire life out here are you?"

"Well, what else can I do?" Mikoto countered, her hands on her hips. Cinna paused, noting how much she looked like Zidane at the moment.

"Live your life." Cinna shrugged. "See the rest of Gaia, the cities and villages, and different continents and animals. The Mages can take care of the others for you."

"I guess." Mikoto sighed. "But... Compared to Gaia, Terra was so tiny... It's so... strange, to think of such a huge world out there."

"And not all of it's been explored." Cinna suggested. "I've heard things from Vivi about what he did with Zidane, where he went. Apparently there's even an abandoned castle full of information about Terra in the Forbidden Continent, and a tribe of people who live at the entrance to the other worlds... Or something."

"I know." Mikoto sighed. "And I will go. Sometime. But right now, I have to stay here."

"Well, when you do decide to leave, you should look us up." Cinna offered. "We live in Lindblum. It's the biggest city in the world, hands down, and where Zidane calls home."

"... I should go then." Mikoto gave the bandit a wan smile. "Hey... Thanks for listening, Cinna." She squeezed his hands gently, then let go, turning and heading away from the village.

"Cinna, the ladies man." Marcus remarked. Cinna spun around, shooting the man an evil glare. "What?"

"That is so bloody crude of you." Cinna growled defensively. "She just wanted to talk, man. And besides, it's Zidane's little sister! I would never bloody go there."

"Riiight..." Marcus walked towards the man standing on the bridge. "And you didn't get that 'manly swagger' in your voice."

"Man, shut up!" Cinna cried out, hands gritted. "Why the hell do you have to be such a..."

"Whut are yer two bickerin' about?" Ruby shook her head as she approached the men.

"Cinna's just been putting the moves on Zidane's little sis- Ow!" Marcus yelped as Cinna hit him hard about the head. "What was that for?"

"I was not putting any moves on anyone, Marcus!" Cinna protested. "She just wanted to get a few things off her chest, damnit! I have more class than going after Zidane's frigging sister."

"Oh?" Ruby raised an eyebrow. "It looked like I missed somethin' interesting. Whut were yer sayin' to 'er, Cinna?"

"Oh, just shut up and go find Blank." Cinna muttered, before storming off, fuming. Marcus was shaking with silent laughter, doubled over.

"Marcus, that was mean." Ruby sighed, a hand on his hip. "Yer shouldn' tease 'im."

"Aww, man, I was just having fun." Marcus straightened up. "But he was really defensive. And you know what they say about very defensive people."

"No, whut?" Ruby frowned.

"That they're the guiltiest of all." Marcus grinned. "I think it's... cute. Well, she wouldn't know any better, would she?"

"Marcus, whut are yer scheming?" A suspicious look began to cross Ruby's face.

"Me? Nothing?" Marcus attempted to look as innocent as possible. "Now if you excuse me, I'm off for a feed and a sleep. Catch you up."

"... Okay..." Ruby narrowed her eyes, watching as Marcus strutted away slowly, before making her way to the Inn, where she hoped Baku would be. When she entered the little house however, she stopped in the doorway, watching. Vivi was by himself in the little room, standing on tiptoe on the bedside chair.

"I hope you can hear me." He was murmuring quietly. "'Cos you really really have to wake up, Zidane. There's so many people here that care about you. And I don't want you to die. You were the one that taught me so much about myself. If I never came with you that night, I would have never found about where I came from. In fact I would have probably been lynched by an angry mob or something." Vivi sighed deeply. "This can't be the end for you."

Touched, Ruby remained silent in the doorway, out of Vivi's field of vision, trying not to cry.

Where am I now?

Zidane felt soggy, like he'd been in a tub of water for far too long. He was vaguely aware of a gentle rocking, softly buffeting him from side to side. He was draped over a log, his lower half submerged in water.

Is this another memory? He tried to lift his head, but was strangely unable to find the strength. He felt sapped of all energy, finding it a struggle to even breathe. He groaned, his tail twitching weakly.

Then, without warning, he felt another hand on the back of his neck. Yelping, Zidane was lifted up, unable to move, protest.

"Holy crap!" He tried to focus on whoever was holding him, but his vision was too fuzzy. "It's a kid!" Zidane blinked, struggling to zone on the man who was holding him, but to no avail. Why did that voice sound so familiar...

Zidane yelped, and kicked out as hard as he could, catching the stranger in the face. The man dropped him with a howl, and Zidane felt himself half-running, half-stumbling, over what sounded like wooden planks, before diving into a large, empty crate. He held his hands over his head, trembling.

What's going on? Zidane tried to clear his head, but it hurt too much. Who was that? Why do I feel like I..

"Kid?" The man thudded heavily on the wood, making his way towards the frightened child. "You there?"

"Go 'way." Zidane mumbled, holding his hands over his ears. He was sick of these memory-dreams! He didn't even know where he was.

Maybe I died...

"Kid?" Zidane gasped as the man crouched in front of the crate. "I'm not gonna hurt you. Where are your parents?"

I don't have any parents. Zidane wanted to blurt out, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he let out a muted whimper, his hands now over his eyes. Slowly, he lowered them, and froze, gaping at who he saw.

It was Baku, albeit at least a decade younger, with a slimmer waistline, less ruddy face, and a significantly shorter beard. Zidane's heart jumped, and he made for the bandit leader, but his arms and legs just wouldn't move under command.

"Kid, look, you're a mess." Baku reasoned. "I just wanna get you cleaned up, okay? Come on now..."

Slowly, still filled with a sense of mistrust that Zidane couldn't even believe he was feeling, the Genome began to crawl out of the large crate. Before he could move two inches, however, the bottom of the crate gave out, and he was falling once more. Screaming, Zidane clawed at the air desperately, but to no avail.

I'm still alive...

"Any change at all?" Baku demanded towards the Black Mage, who was bent over Zidane, a gloved hand on his head.

"His brain activity has slightly increased." The Mage reported, straightening his back. "According to Mikoto." At Baku's side, the Genome nodded, hands clenched into fists. "His arm..."

"What about it?" Blank burst out, watching intently as Mr. 64 stretched out the arm, untying the bandaged splint from Zidane's broken limb. "What's wrong with it?"

"I thought this might happen. It's healing, but not right. It was broken without a splint for almost three weeks, and the bone's re-growing in its broken state."

"What does that mean?" Baku asked worriedly. The Mage turned, regarding the bandit leader solemnly.

"It'll have to be rebroken." He said simply. "Probably best to do it while he's unconscious – it'll be extremely painful."

"So... He's going to wake up then?" Vivi enquired hopefully. Blanks hand tightened on his shoulder.

"It looks hopeful." The Mage turned back to the injured Genome. "But we have to be cautious. He's still very badly wounded."

"What about his back." Blank swallowed, watching the Mage. "Is it..."

"It's not looking good." Mr. 64 admitted. "But he's not responsive to anything, so I'm not able to gauge the extent of paralysis-"

"What?" Blank burst out. "You... You can't be serious! Zidane's not paralyzed!"

"I fear he might be." The Mage said gravely. "But as I said, I don't know. It could be just his legs, it could be from the neck down-"

"No!" Blanks teeth were gritted. "He's not paralyzed!"

"Look-"

"No, you have to fix it!" Blank continued. "You said you could fix him!"

"Yes, but-"

"I trusted you!" Blank's voice cracked. "We trusted you! And now... Now you tell me that he's paralyzed?"

"Blank!" Baku bellowed. "Goddamnit, control yourself!"

"No!" Blank retorted. "I can't believe you're just sitting there, taking this!"

"Blank!"

"No! Just..." Blank turned, and ran out of the room, leaving Baku with his shoulders slumped.

"Damnit." Baku muttered. "I'm sorry about him." He apologized at the Mage. "He's just findin' this a little hard to cope. Ruby!" He bellowed loudly, and sure enough, a few moments later, Ruby stuck her head around the door, peering quizzically at Baku. "Go and find Blank for me somewhere. He ran off."

"Got yer." Ruby nodded, and bowed out of the room. Baku rubbed at his itching nose, before turning to the Mage again, his own stomach churning uncomfortably.

"So... Are you sure?" Baku ventured. "About him being... Paralyzed, I mean."

"No, I'm not." Mr. 64 shook his head. "And I'm sorry I upset your comrade. The truth is I'm not sure at all, it's just the likely possibility."

"And is it permanent?" Vivi finally spoke up, his voice trembling. "A-Are you saying he'll never walk again?"

"No no no, I'm not saying anything like that yet!" The Black Mage held his hands up in defence. "Like I said, when the swelling goes down, I'll know how hurt he is. It might not even be broken. Like I said, it's very very hard to know."

"Man." Baku sat down heavily on the stool. "So he might be... crippled."

"Ugh, I hate that word." Mikoto turned away and stared out the window. "But even if he is... What does it matter? Really? Isn't he still Zidane?"

"He wouldn't like it." Baku sighed deeply.

"Yeah, who would?" the girl rested a hand on the pane of glass.

"No, I mean, he really wouldn't like it." Baku muttered. "He's always been a fighter. And now people are calling him the hero who saved the world. What kind of hero is unable to walk?"

"We can't think like that." Vivi protested, and sniffled. "I-I mean... We're not even sure, are we? Isn't that right, Mr. 64? He might be fine..."

The Black Mage gave a hopeless shrug.

"Blank... Blank!" Ruby called out, running across the clearing. "Where are yer?" She had looked absolutely everywhere, from the village houses, to the cemetery, and the surrounding forestry, before coming to the conclusion that Blank must have been aboard their commandeered ship. She made her way cautiously up the gangplank, staring around the airships' interior. "Blank?" She called again, frowning. "... Blank?"

"Hey." Ruby jumped when she entered the sleeping quarters, finding Blank sitting on his bunk, Zidane's brilliant blue weapon in his hands.

"Blank, whut's wrong with yer?" Ruby's hands were on her hips Blank remained silent. "Huh?"

"Did you know this is called an Ultima weapon?" Blank mumbled, not looking at the young woman. "Look at it. It's light, and easy to handle. You can tell that this one of the finest weapons in the world. Zidane was lucky to have found it."

"Blank, why are yer sayin' this?" Ruby sat down on the bed beside Blank, in deep concern. "Whut happened to yer bein' happy?"

"Zidane might be paralyzed." The Ultima Weapon clattered to the floor, and he held his head in his hands. "He... He m-might not ever walk again."

"... Oh Blank." Her heart dropping like a stone at the horrible news, Ruby wrapped her arms around Blanks shouldes comfortingly. "It's okay-"

"No, it's not!" Blank pulled away from the woman, shaking. "I-It's far from okay! Imagine if Zidane was unable to walk again, Ruby. He's the greatest hero that the world has ever seen. The hottest bachelorette in existence is falling all over him, and he's got the best mates anyone could ever ask for. He would be crushed."

"Well..." Ruby stared at Blank helplessly. "Then I don' know what ta say." She sighed. "I don'."

"I don't want you to say anything." Blank rubbed at his eyes. "I just... I just want..." He slumped his shoulders. "Damnit!"

"Blank, please"

"Why him, Ruby? Why? Out of all of us, he had the most going to for him. The glory, the woman, the fame, everything! Why did this have to happen to him?"

"Blank-"

"Why did he have to go back? Why did he have to pull those stupid heroics one more time? What did he have to gain from trying to rescue the guy that wanted to destroy everything?"

"Blank, I don' know." Ruby said, exasperated. "Please, don' ask me that, because I jus' don' know why he went back. He would have had his reasons, Blank."

"If he's paralyzed, then it's all his fault." Blank stood up, his teeth gritted. "And he's not getting a shred of sympathy from me."

"Blank," Ruby started, trying to get the man to sit back down, but before she could follow him, Blank had already slammed the door behind himself, with a force that made the walls shake.

Gah, I know this is moving slowly, and I apologize, but I don't want to rush...

Anyways, feel free to press that little button! They've even moved it to make it easier for you xD