Yay Chapter III! Didn't think I'd ever get to it. Thanks for those who are reviewing and reading. I really appreciate it.
Blank's POV
I had climbed a rickety old ladder and was now perched atop one of the taller roofs in Treno, peering out over the dark city.
Cinna hadn't been keeping up and I hadn't been waiting. Running around with Zidane had its physically draining tendencies, but when he wasn't with me I found it was easy to sprint and feel I was quite fast actually all by my lonesome.
I didn't like this time being spent apart from him. It was the first in a long while… since he came into our lives… into my life. I never did approve of being separated from the boy.
Just what is Baku trying to prove with this?
I sighed and scratched the back of my head absently while watching the shrunken people of Treno below scramble about.
"Blank! Man, Bro I know I'm not Zidane but don't ditch me like that." Cinna panted as he sluggishly rolled onto the roof and laid aside me on the shingles.
"Sorry. I'm used to havin' no time for a break like right now." I admitted. Cinna nodded and hugged his hammer to his chest.
"I hear you're going to have to get used to it." Cinna grimaced. I furrowed my brow and shook my head at him.
"What d'you mean? This is temporary. Zidane is my thievin' mate." I corrected.
Cinna shook his head sadly, "Baku doesn't like how close you two are. He's even considering moving someone else into your room. Maybe even…" He paused, "Maybe even kick you out of Tantalus."
"WHAT?!" I stood up a bit too quickly and lost my balance on the sleek plates that were the shingles. Cinna grabbed for my hand but I toppled.
Zidane's POV
Marcus and I were heading back to the inn when we heard the commotion. There were crowds of people shouting and running and huddling in mass groups about the front of a singular building.
"Wonder what that's about." Marcus said, slowing in his stride to take a few glimpses towards the crowd.
"Probably a sale." I shrugged and then looked over myself. "Hey there's Cinna." I pointed to a hysterical looking hammer master. He was shoving people out of the way and forcing himself through the thick herd. That wasn't very sly… he couldn't be stealing anything.
"What's he doing?" Marcus voiced my own thoughts and had now begun walking over. I followed and half the time went up on my tip-toes, attempting to see over the mass. The crowd quieted a little and we could hear Cinna the closer we came.
"Blank! Bro get up!" Cinna cried.
"Blank?!" I yelled and sprinted straight into the mob. Marcus trailed behind me as I shoved and punched my way through. I came to the clearing in the center just as Cinna stood with Blank's body in his arms. "What happened?" I asked sternly, looking around the crowd, wanting to stab something or someone. Wanting blame.
"He slipped." Cinna said, nodding upwards, indicating the roof. I turned around to the crowd and glared.
"Get out of here! All of you get the fuck out!" I screamed and they quickly removed themselves from my path. "Go Cinna." I instructed and he obeyed. Marcus ran behind him in a hurry and I followed after retrieving Blank's headband from the ground.
I couldn't bring myself to look at Blank for more than a few seconds as he was carried. His arm was twisted back wrong and the skin around his right eye was a bit torn and bloody around where the socket of the skull would be.
His mouth hung open and there were cuts in his full lower lip.
Marcus jumped forwards first to open the door for Cinna. Blank was toted inside and into our room. Marcus halted me at the door.
"Marcus, let me through!" I tried shoving him but he stood firm.
"No way. Cinna needs to work and you don't need to be any more upset than you are."
"It's my room! He's my… best friend…" I felt tears start to stream down my face.
"I know Zidane…" Marcus said softly and stepped back to shut the door abruptly. I scowled at it and threw a punch, chipping at the varnish and splintering the wood some.
I should be in there at his side. I collapsed against the door and slid down with my back until I hit the floor. There, I waited.
I waited all night and it must have been sometime into the morning when I fell asleep.
"Zi get up!" I jolted as Baku's voice boomed. I looked up at him just to see his giant hand grab at my collar and hoist me up into the air.
"Put me down!" I kicked and thrashed about furiously. It was no use. Baku shook, his scruffy head at me and threw me back against the other wall.
"What happened out there?" He asked me despite my throbbing head. I staggered to my feet and massaged my temples in an attempt to ease the pain.
"Blank had an accident." I said trying not to tear up in front of our leader. Baku kicked open my door and lumbered inside. I seized the opportunity to rush in after him. Cinna was dozing in a chair pulled up beside Blank's bunk while Marcus had passed out partially on the mattress, mostly on the floor.
Blank's chest rose and fell in his labored breathing. His headband was clutched in his left hand and his other forearm was resting in a sling across his stomach. A splint of wood was tethered to it.
"Marcus, Cinna!" Baku barked. The two immediately awoke and scrambled to their feet.
"Sir," Marcus said, "Blank had a bit of a fall…"
"What distracted him?" Baku asked. Marcus turned to Cinna and he shrugged.
"I dunno, we were just taking a break and he stood up too quickly." Baku didn't look convinced it was so simple.
"Zidane…" He turned to me, "Where were you?" He said accusingly.
"I was with Marcus. Just what are you trying to pin on me?" I glared harshly at Baku, "I would never hurt Blank."
Just then the sleeping patient stirred. He moaned and squinted his eyes shut tighter before opening them. I gave a watery smile and hurried to his side.
"Blank…" I breathed his name softly and he turned to me. His headband was dropped to the floor, the buckle clanked against the boards and he reached out to touch my face. He didn't say anything, maybe he couldn't. His bottom lip had swollen up slightly and the cuts had scabbed. The half-circle around his eye was puffy and stitched. More stitches. I frowned.
"Let's give him more rest." Marcus suggested and shooed out Cinna and somehow Baku. I began to stand but Blank grabbed my arm. I returned to crouching and looked back at Marcus who nodded to me and shut the door.
We didn't speak. In fact as soon as everyone left Blank closed his eyes again and his grip loosened. I watched over him for a while. I held his hand and I kissed it softly. I was so exhausted.
I found myself nodding off every now and again and I really wanted to climb in with Blank. I wouldn't dare try and hold him in his current condition… It's best to just climb up to my own bunk.
My head nestled into the pillow and I was instantly asleep.
Blank's POV
It was several hours later when I regained consciousness. The pain in my arm was unmatched and I winced at the instant white burning sensation. I gave a little grunt through clenched teeth and then jumped as Zidane's head popped down from his bunk to hover over mine.
"You okay?" He asked. I nodded and he flipped down agilely to tend to me. His smooth hands slipped into my sling and checked the splint, shifting it straighter and tightening the strips of fabric holding it in place. I would wince and he would apologize but continue.
"Thanks." I barely said as he finished and took a seat beside me. He stroked my hair and sighed. "Where is everyone?" I asked.
"Probably eating. It's breakfast time." He shrugged.
"Why aren't you eatin'?" I furrowed my brow.
"I didn't want to leave you in here alone. Besides I'm kind of worried to face Baku right now." He said quietly. I gave him a quizzical look and he continued, "He seems to be trying to blame me for whatever happened to you."
"How can he do that, you weren't even there?" I shook my head.
"I know…" He frowned and crouched so his chin rested just below my pillow. I reached with my left hand and he brought his up to hold it.
"I just received some shockin' news and I guess I couldn't focus enough to keep balance." I explained. Zidane ran his thumb over my knuckles and held my hand tighter.
"What news?"
"I think Baku wants me out." I said. Zidane sat up quickly and his grip fell from my hand.
"W-what?" He stammered.
"Cinna told me he doesn't want me around you. In your room, as your partner, in your thief's guild." I relayed the situation.
"That's bullshit, if nothing else, you were in this group before me! You're closer to Baku, closer to anyone here! I can't handle this lifestyle without you." He started shouting and I pressed a finger to my own lips while shushing him.
"Calm down." I said, gripping his shoulder tightly.
"I can't lose you." He said.
"It's okay, Zi-"
"No it isn't!" He screamed and I could see how glossy his eyes were becoming. I knew I couldn't take it if he'd start to cry. Oh Zidane… don't put me through this.
"Look… if I do get kicked out, then you have to promise me you'll stay here with Baku, Marcus and Cinna." I said.
"No-"
"Zidane!" I yelled a bit too loudly and coughed. My ribs ached and it felt as if my lungs were constricted. I inhaled a raggedy breath and lay there for a moment.
"You alright?" Zidane asked worriedly, touching my forehead.
"Where's my…" I felt around where his hand was and up into my hair. Zidane acknowledged what I was searching for and hurried to the side table. He returned with my leather bandana and helped to buckle it about my head.
I felt weak and drained. I wanted more rest but I feared what could happen to me… what could happen to Zidane if I were to be unconscious for a few more hours. I had to spend every moment with him I could. I didn't know where I would be, could be next.
Baku was getting suspicious if nothing else. Zidane and I can't be together openly so long as we're in Tantalus. I can't hold Zidane back like this. I sighed. It's inevitable.
"Go get me some food, will ya Zi?" I gave him a timid smile. He didn't even hesitate to do as I asked, but I called him back quickly, "Wait… before you go," I nearly whispered.
Zidane came back to my side and I coaxed him closer with a curled finger. "Kiss me." I commanded.
"What about Baku? If he walks in-"
"We're fucked anyway and I'm not askin' you to have sex with me right now, it's just a kiss." I argued. Zidane looked from me to the door and back again.
"A quick kiss?" He said.
"The longer you wait now, the longer I want it." I forced a wry smirk. Zidane looked conflicted but leaned down nonetheless and pressed his lips to mine. I reached a hand to his neck and bent him down harder over my mouth.
Our mouths parted simultaneously and we continued the kiss. My tongue was first to slide past his lips and Zidane tried to pull back at that point. Like hell you'll back out now. This is my last kiss. I swiftly moved my hand from his neck to his lacy collar and held him taught to me.
My tongue returned to his and he whimpered. He stopped fighting though, and just kissed me as I wanted. I'm going to miss him… I'm going to miss him so much. I felt tears fall from my eyes and they trickled down my face and into our mouths. Zidane forced himself back and I turned away from him.
"Food please…" I said, staring hard at the wall. Zidane stood silently and left.
I'm sorry. I wiped my eyes with my good hand and carefully climbed out of bed.
Zidane's POV
I entered the kitchen to find everyone; Marcus, Cinna, The Nero Brothers, and Baku, seated without food.
"Blank's awake. He's hungry." I said, my tone apathetic and bland. Marcus stood up to assist me but Baku slammed on the table and he was reseated immediately.
"You'll have to steal him some food if he wants any." Baku said, "He's no longer apart of Tantalus." I glowered at the heartless fiend.
"You can't do that to him! What did he do? He just fell off a god damn roof!"
"You're both a distraction to each other. I know what's going on Zi." Baku growled.
"So you're just going to get rid of one of us? The one you used to love like a son?"
"This is a business boy. You're the better thief." Baku's words hurt more than just me but no one dared move at this point. I took the bowl of fruit that sat in the center of the table and then kicked it over. Baku stood up and shook a fist at me. "You can't take that I said! Blank's not in Tantalus."
"Then I guess I'm stealing." I spat and walked back to my room, ignoring the furious Baku. I opened the door and upon entry, dropped the fruit. Apples and cuts of mangos bounced and rolled about the floor.
"Blank?" I called. His bed was empty, he was gone. "Blank!" I shouted and ran from my room. I sprinted right back into the kitchen and whipped out my dagger. "Where is he?" I screamed at Baku.
"Who?" He shrugged.
"Blank! Where is Blank?!" I shouted and thrust my dagger up against his throat.
"Zidane calm down." Marcus tried to soothe, taking a step towards me. I pulled out my other dagger and pointed it at his nose.
"Back off." I hissed, then turned back to Baku, "You tell me what you did with him or I swear I'll-"
"I didn't do anything to him. Maybe he wised up and left on his own." Baku interrupted. I wanted to blame him… I wanted to hurt him so bad but I knew he was right. Blank didn't want to be a burden to me. He Ihad/I left all on his own.
I dropped my daggers and stared at the ground. IHe's gone./I
"Get him." Baku ordered. I didn't attempt to fend off my once-good friends as Marcus and Cinna seized my arms roughly. My daggers were kicked away and Baku dismissed me to my room.
I was "escorted" to the back and thrown on Blank's bunk.
"Sorry Bro…" Marcus said quietly as he was leaving.
"Whatever." I snarled. They don't care about me. They didn't help Blank. Baku has them all wrapped up how he likes. Marcus and Cinna left me there and locked the door. I laid back on the bunk, my face partly buried in the pillow, partly gazing out the window.
I inhaled deeply, initially a sigh turning into a reminiscence of Blank. I breathed in his scent and exhaled a shaky, build up of emotion.
IWhat to do what to do… I can't stay here. I have to leave. I have to be with him./II ran through options in my head. He's out there right now all alone with injuries that he needs to be tended. I have to… I shook my head. Where could he have gone? Even if he's still in Treno how am I ever going to find him?
I stood up from the bunk and walked over to the darkened window where a bit of moon light shone through. Outside there was a dank alley way that led out into the main square. It's the only way he could have gotten out.
It's where I need to go. Tantalus will get along fine with out me, and it's not like I really care about them anymore. If Blank isn't good enough for them, then I don't want to be apart of anything they're doing.
I opened the window and let in the chilly and nearly putrid air. The small table below it supplied the leg up I needed to climb out. It would have been difficult and probably painful for Blank to perform these maneuvers with his splint and sling.
I tried not to think about it as I crawled out and plopped down on the cobblestones feet first. I wavered but balanced myself out with a swing of my tail.
I shut the window again and then took off down the musty street. The central square was bustling with people and I was pretty sure Blank would have been far from here by now even if I could see through the crowds.
He left the city. It would be his only option. If he stayed we'd find him sooner or later. The nearest city isn't for hundreds of miles! Blank you idiot…
Narrowing down his choices, Blank could not go to Lindblum without aid of an airship and to get to Alexandria he'd surely die along the way. Blank's smart, but stubborn and probably figured he could take the freezing temperatures of the Ice Cavern without food or nourishment in general.
To save him I'm going to have to trust what I believe and hope I can find him in the cavern before it's too late…
Blank please…