The thief and his princess
Summary:
When Zidane, the youngest thief in the infamous Tantalus group, meets the mysterious Dagger on the Alexandrian streets, he thinks of her as nothing but one of his many flirts. But with time, he will realize that the girl does not only hold the power to bind his heart forever, but that she is an unwilling part of a conspiracy that can easily destroy the world. - A FFIX AU Fan Fic
Chapter three ~ Dagger
"You?!", both of them said at the same time; Zidane surprised, the young woman sizzling.
"What are you doing here?", Zidane asked leery, but instead of an answer, the Dark Princess quickly drew out two short knifes and turned them against Zidane. The young thief raised his hands: "Woah! Calm down! I'm not gonna do anything to you."
The dark eyes narrowed in distrust. Slowly, the woman made a step towards him, raising her knifes to his throat. "You're going to let me go now", she whispered threatening while carefully moving towards the door behind Zidane, so the young thief had to turn around. Without the woman noticing, Zidane moved his left feet and bumped against a little metallic bell so it caused an excited sound. Distracted, the Dark Princess jerked her head to the ground and in this very moment, Zidane kneed her in the stomach. With a groan, she lost consciousness and slumped. Zidane caught her fall and held the beauty in his arms. For a moment, he had to stare at her face; it looked so peacefully and her lips had opened just a bit, as if she was about to make a little "oh".
Zidane shook his head to get rid of this kind of thoughts. Hastily, he carried the Dark Princess into his room and locked the door from the outside, then he rushed back into Baku's office.
It was then when he figured out the soft, wobbly thing he stood on earlier was his boss' face. Carefully, Zidane helped Baku up on a chair and tested his body for wounds, but the only thing he found was a bump on the back of his head. So Zidane just tidied up the office and then returned to his room.
The Dark Princess looked like she was sleeping, still carrying that peaceful look on her face. Her black hair framed her face like a silky waterfall by night, the porcelain skin was radiant, the red lips glowed luscious.
At first, Zidane's mouth was opened in awe, but he caught himself and shook his head. Slowly, he sat beside her on the bed and watched the girl. For some reason, he couldn't understand what circumstances could force a girl like her to become a prostitute and thief. He nearly had to laugh at her attempt to get money from Baku's office – only the leader of the thieves knew where he hid the treasures, the gold and jewelry, the money. Zidane himself had tried to figure out the secret place many times, and even though he was an expert concerning finding and stealing treasures, he never caught a glimpse of Baku's. Sure, a tiny bit was handed to him and the remaining part of Tantalus once a while, their payment for their job, but the real amount was unknown to him.
Again, he had to frown while studying the woman's face. Like the first night he saw her, he felt an aura of mysterious authority and strong will around her – yet, watching her sleep, he could also feel insecurity. She was probably younger than he was and yet dangerous. Still, the wish to touch her face was too big for him to resist.
Slowly, he reached out with his hand to touch her, the other hand remained beside the daggers, ready to draw them out.
Just when he was about to reach her face, the Dark Princess opened her eyes. With a quick movement, she got up and jerked behind, trying to get out of his reach. Instinctively, she reached to her hips, where she had placed her short knives, but realized they were gone.
"You're searching for them?", Zidane asked and held up said knives.
"Give them back!", the young woman ordered walked towards him. In this moment, Zidane grabbed her wrists and held her tight. "Let go off me!", she screamed, but Zidane just looked at her. "Who are you?", he asked. "I won't let you go until I know who you are and what you want", he added after moments of silence. The woman sighed. "Is it not obvious?", she asked but kept talking without waiting for him to answer: "I was trying to steal your money."
Zidane frowned. "But why us? And how did you figure when the time was right?"
Another sigh. Then, she looked up shyly. "From the very moment we met, I knew that you must belong to a band of thieves. I have heard rumors about you, about the money you own. After the fight with the Pluto-Knights, I stayed near by you and after you caught yourself, I followed you secretly. It took me some days to figure out where your entry was and how I could sneak into it. For my luck, you were investigating on another case and I kept being undiscovered. I only saw four man leaving and entering this place over and over again, and once all of you left, I waited just a little longer and then I snuck into this place." For a moment, she stopped. "I did not know there was another man!", she then said with a regretful, worried voice, "He surprised me from behind when I was searching through the office. I did not know what to do, I reacted instinctively and grabbed the wooden cup on the desk and hit him on his head. Is he hurt badly?"
Zidane shook his head. "Nah, he's completely fine. Baku sure got a tough head."
Silence came. The thief was deep in his thoughts and the Dark Princess had lost the will to escape.
Finally, she asked "What are you going to do now, mister?" Zidane looked up surprise and laughed. "You don't have to call me "mister" - I'm Zidane. What's your name?"
She blinked. "I am... Dagger."
Zidane raised his eyebrows: "Really? That sure is an unusual name."
Dagger shrugged. "It is a name, like any other." Suddenly, her eyes fell on Zidane's tail. Dagger screamed in shock and jumped back. "Wha-what is this?!", she asked confused and in distrust.
Zidane looked down. "Oh, you mean this?" He moved his tail a bit. "It's my tail."
"I- I can see that!", Dagger replied. "But why do you got one? Are you human?"
This time, it was Zidane who shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. Got it since my birth. No one could tell me why I got one or what other kind off people might have some. The rest of me is human, though", he added winking. "If you're freaking out this easily, you shouldn't see Cinna's face."
Dagger twisted her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Zidane grinned. "Well, I guess I've now decided what to do with you. I'mma keep you here."
Dagger gasped. "What?! No, you can not do that to me, I'm-!" Suddenly, she stopped talking and looked away. "Why?", she whispered.
"You're awesome! To sneak into this place, it takes someone who's got my abilities. You'd be a great help."
Dagger shook her head. "No, listen, Zidane. I have to go very soon. Someone is waiting for me. And if he finds out that I am captured here, he is going to come and get me."
Zidane looked at her. "You mean the redhead?" Consterned, she looked up. "He was fighting against me and the others, just after we set the fire a few minutes ago. You sent him as a distraction, huh? Well, gotta disappoint you, but I managed to escape. I worry about the others, though", he added thoughtfully. "They should've got her already."
"You managed to escape Amarant?", she whispered astonished.
"Is that how he's called?"
"He is taking care of me since... a long time", the girl evaded his question, then she sighed. "Now, we really do have a problem: Amarant never gets beaten. He is going to be really mad at you." Suddenly, she looked right into Zidane's eyes. "Trust me, it would be a lot easier for all of us if you let me go."
Zidane shook his head. "I can't. At least until we have left Alexandria. You're dangerous to us now, Dagger."
"I will give you money!", she interrupted him. "Jewelry! Gold! Anything you want. Just please, let me go." Her eyes had such a panic, desperate look that Zidane felt the urge to hug her. Still, he had to shake his head.
"Listen, I can't trust ya. I have to keep an eye on you. Come on, Dagger, what do you have to loose? I- I don't wanna be rude, but... Isn't stealing better than your current... job?"
The young woman looked away. "How come you do not understand this?", she mumbled when suddenly, someone else entered the room.
It was Blank. His face was covered with blood and he coughed terribly. "Zidane!", he screamed while rushing towards the younger boy. "Didn't you hear us?! We've been calling, knocking and whatsoever over ten minutes now! I was lucky to see you've left the door open just a bit– which means you're an even bigger idiot!" Suddenly, he noticed the Dark Princess. Without thinking, Blank grabbed his sword and turned it towards her. "Who is she?", he asked, his voice calm and threatening.
Zidane raised his hands. "Wowowowowo! Calm down, Blank! She's a friend!"
The readhead's eyes narrowed. "The same friend who knocked out Baku? Don't even try" he added as Zidane opened his mouth. "I've been checking Baku's office first – it could've been you haven't reached this place yet, but he had to be here. I found him sitting there, a bump on his head. Did she do this?"
Zidane hesitated. "It's not as ya think, Blank, seriously. Let me explain it, 'kay?"
Blanks eyes narrowed even more. Then, he slowly took down his falchion. "I will listen to you, Zidane", he answered while his eyes kept looking at Dagger. "Cinna!", he then yelled.
The called one rushed into the room, his face covered in even more blood than Blank's – at least, someone had taken care of his nose, probably Marcus. "Yeaaah?", he asked, slightly breathless.
Blank jerked his head in Daggers direction. "Stay here and keep your eyes on her. No talk. Just pay attention. Zidane and I are going to have a quick talk."
Cinna nodded and positioned himself beside the door.
"Come on", Blank said rude and went into a small, hidden room far apart from the rest. As soon as they reached it, he spun around. "Tell me you've got a good explanation for this!", he said, his voice quiet, threatening nonetheless.
Again, Zidane hesitated. "I... You know, actually she's..."
"Wait!", Blank interrupted. "Don't try to lie to me! I know you too well; you can't. So speak the truth."
Zidane bit his tongue. "Seriously, she's not an enemy. She... she wants to join us. I met her on my way here and she pleaded for it and when I brought her here, Baku accidentally confused her as an invader, she just defended herself and- "
Blank shook his head and chuckled darkly, then he raised his hand. "Stop it right there, man. You can't lie to me, so what's with that foolish attempt?"
Zidane shook his head. "No, I'm not lying, it is the truth!"
Blank shrugged his shoulders. Yeah right. You seem to have your reasons. Just tell me one thing: Can you trust her?"
"I told you she wants to join us- "
"Can you trust her?"
"I- "
"Can you or not?" Blank looked directly into Zidane's eyes. "This is your responsibility. We are one family. If you tell me she's no danger to us, I will accept it and tell the others. But if you can't, I will be the first one eliminating her. So tell me."
"I- … I can", Zidane said, but he couldn't look back into Blank's eyes. The weight laying on his heart was too heavy. He waited for Blank to hit him, to laugh at him and realizing how much of a liar he was, but Blank just pat his head. "Alright, then. I'mma tell the others. Meanwhile, tell her everything she needs to know." He turned around and was about to leave the room when he looked back and said: "You're my brother. I trust you." Then he left.
Zidane let himself fall against a wall.
Did I do the right thing?
Baku's eyes were narrowed. "And ye want me to believe in such a story?", he asked Blank warily. Blank nodded. "I know Zidane. He said we can trust her. And so I do."
Baku sighed. "Blank... Blank, Blank, Blank... Ye would stand up for anything Zidane does, right?"
Blank drew himself up. "I do, boss."
"Okay. Then, if ye trust him so much, I'm going to lay all responsibility for this girl on him and ye. If ye fail, whoever it is, ye know what's going to happen?"
Blank gulped. "I do, boss", he responded again.
Baku nodded. "Ye may leave now. But bring Zidane and this girl here before."
Blank nodded, his voice nearly inaudible. "Yes, boss."
Zidane kept staring at Daggers eyes.
"I can not stay here! Please, let me go", she said once more, but Zidane shook his head. "You can't anymore, Dagger. You found out where our secret headquarter is. You've seen our boss' face. You know too much. A few years ago, it wouldn't have mattered, but now..."
Dagger sighed and looked away. "Is there... really nothing, that I could do?", she asked shyly. Zidane raised his eyebrows as he realized her offer, then he quickly shook his head. "No, nothin'."
The young woman sniffled. "What are you going to do to me? I am of no use for you."
Zidane looked away. "That's up to Baku to decide", he mumbled.
"I-", Dagger was about to say when suddenly, Blank came in.
"I'm sorry, I hope I don't interrupt you two in somethin'?", he asked, a hint of irony in his voice. "The boss wants to see you two."
Zidane stood up quickly. "Did you tell him, that-"
"Yeah yeah", Blank responded. "She may stay here. But he wants to talk to her."
Zidane looked back to Dagger, nodding towards her as encouragement. "Let's go."
Slowly, Dagger stood up, her eyes kept staring at Blank in doubt while she moved towards Zidane. Then she nodded. "Yes. Let us go."
Though she held her head up high and moved confidently through the main room, Zidane could feel her wall of security and authority crumbling down. After knocking on Baku's office door, both entered.
Baku was sitting at his desk, and it was once of those rare times Zidane could actually see the seriousness in his eyes.
"So ye are the girl that hit me", Baku stated.
Dagger gulped, but responded with a strong voice: "Yes, I am. My name is Dagger, and I have got a favor I want to ask of you."
Baku raised his left eyebrow. "So what?"
"I-", she hesitated and touched her chest, then looked up directly in Baku's eyes. "I want to go home."
For a moment, Baku was speechless, then he started laughing. "Gawahaha, for a moment, I thought ye were serious!"
Dagger nodded. "I am."
The boss of the thieves stopped laughing immediately and looked at her with a serious face. "For real? I thought ye wanted to join us?"
The young woman shook her head slowly. "He and Zidane got me wrong. It is not like I would not admire your amazing skills and coordination, but... The longer I am here, the more dangerous will this place become."
Baku frowned. "Dangerous? Why?"
With a quick look at Zidane, she responded: "There is someone who is going to look for me. If he is not already. And if he comes here, then I can not guarantee that you and your group may survive."
Before Baku could burst into laughter once again, Zidane added: "As far as I've seen this guy, she may be right. The one who attacked us before we returned had as his goal, to make time for he-" He interrupted himself immediately, but it was too late and Baku narrowed his eyes.
"Make time for her, ye say? I understand alright. Ye wanted to rob us", he said while staring at Dagger. "And now, ye expect us to let ye go?"
"You do not understand!", Dagger responded panicking. "At this very moment, Amarant is looking for me. It will not take long until he figures out that I am captured, and if you will not let me go, he is going to kill you all! Just like Zidane said, he was just distracting the others, without the real want to harm them because I asked him to hold back! But if he thinks my life is in danger, he is going to do whatever it takes to get me out of here! So please, for your own sake, let me go! I will not come back or tell others about your place, all I want is to go!"
Baku stared at her, then, he slowly nodded. "I understand. I have seen the wounds yer Amarant has caused on my members' body. Is he even human?"
Dagger hesitated. "I- I do not know, to be honest."
Baku sighed and rubbed his head. "Listen, girl, I can't let ye go so easily. Yer a danger to us, no matter what ye promise. But... tomorrow night, we are ready to leave this city."
"What?", Zidane asked confused. "But wasn't our plan a success? I thought we wanted to stay for a while longer?"
Displeased, his boss examined him with his eyes before he replied: "I've changed my mind. Alexandria's getting' too hot right now. Don't wanna get any of us caught because of some careless mistake. I thought ye liked Lindblum?"
Zidane lowered his head and mumbled something that sounded like an apology. Baku grunted before he turned his head back to Dagger. "Anyways, how about this: Under Zidane's guard, ye will wait outside for yer guardian and tell him that tomorrow evening, ye will go outside and with him."
Again, Dagger hesitated, but she finally replied: "I thank you. Hopefully, Amarant will understand."
On the leaders face, a hint of a smile appeared. "Alright, then. Until everything is prepared for our leave, ye'll be under Zidane's guard. If ye ever dare to make a wrong move or to do any harm to us, he'll kill ye. Understood?" Though his words addressed the young woman, Zidane nodded. "Got it, boss."
Baku gave him a quick, irritated look, then sighed and made a dismissive gesticulation. "Leave."
When the two had left the room, Baku buried his head in his hands. "Oh my... Why do I have this strange feeling we're going into big trouble..?"
Zidane frowned. "And you sure he comes?"
Dagger nodded. "He will. It is in his nature."
„Ahuh?", Zidane made with an unconvinced look on his face. "If you say so..."
He and Dagger were standing on a big place in the center of Alexandria. It was still morning, but the place was already crowded. Most of the people were busy, minding their own businesses and buying items or preparing their shops for the costumers. Usually, it would not have been so crowded, but the birthday of the princess, although it was still a few days away, made the people gather in and around Alexandria. A little sigh escaped Zidane's lips when he thought about the fact that he wasn't going to see her. She was supposed to be an extraordinary, breathtaking beauty and Zidane, as the lady killer of Alexandria, wanted to see her desperately, to know if she really was as beautiful as she was claimed to be.
The young woman, her hood pulled down low over her face, looked at him. "You seem sad. Is everything alright?" Zidane shrugged his shoulders and smiled lightly. "Ah, you know, it's just a shame we've gotta go. I really love Alexandria and its girls", he winked, but she just looked away and kept silent.
"Anyways", he moved on, "A real shame is that in just a few weeks, the face of the princess will be revealed, and-"
"What?!", Dagger interrupted him surprised. "H-her face is going to be revealed? When? Tell me!" For a moment, it looked like she was about to get up and shake him until he would tell her, but suddenly, she calmed down.
"I mean... It is just a really interesting information for me." She tried smiling innocently, but Zidane was already misgiving.
"It's not known exactly; if I knew when her birthday is, I could tell ya the date - it's supposed to be her birthday party."
"Ah, I see", Dagger replied, still smiling lightly. "That is why everyone seemed so busy lately..."
"Yeah! It's told her beauty's not from this world and that she's the most adorable, innocent person on the planet", Zidane kept saying without noticing the more and more sad look on Daggers face.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. People who were coming from the main street were walking faster than they usually would and kept staying on either the right or the left side.
"He is there", Dagger stated and Zidane got up. And then, he appeared.
A giant human, dressed in dark green clothes, with lightly blue skin and with red mahogany hair, so bulky and wide that the head underneath it seemed tiny and small. But with just one look into that face, Zidane could tell that this man was strong, disciplined and an expert on the field of killing. He clenched his fists as he remembered the last night, when the giant redhead had attacked him and the others.
The man had reached the bench Zidane and Dagger were sitting on. The young woman got up and looked with serious eyes into the giants face. Suddenly, the redhead raised his right hand, and for a moment, Zidane was sure that he was going to hit her. Instead, Amarant hesitated for a second while he examined Dagger's then, then he lowered his hand again.
"Amarant. I will not come back until tomorrow night. I will stay with the Tantalus until then. Do not try to rescue me, neither harm the five members. Understood?" Daggers voice was as secure and as firm like the night Zidane had seen her for the first time.
Amarant nodded, without making any sound.
"Good. Until then, Amarant."
Another nod, then the redhead turned around and walked away. A few meters before he was out of sight, he turned halfway round and stared at Zidane, his gaze so intense that the thief shivered.
Still, after Amarant got out of sight, Zidane leaned over to Dagger and whispered: "You sure he understood you? He seems a little geeky", but Dagger just shook her head. "Don't underestimate him. He is really intelligent – which makes him even more dangerous. Still", she added smiling, "he did understand surely. Otherwise you would be dead now."
Zidane gulped, but then, he faked a laugh. "Yeah, whatever. So... What are we gonna do next?"
The young woman looked at him surprised. "Er... I do not know. I thought you knew what to do?"
Zidane frowned. "What's with your speaking attitude anyway? You sound real stilted."
Suddenly, Dagger blushed. "Do I? Er... Is it... conspicuous?"
Zidane nodded. "Yup. Rather. You're not coming from an upper class family, do you?"
Again, Dagger asked: "Would that be... bad?"
Suddenly, Zidane slanted his head. "What are you hiding, Dagger?"
The young woman turned around quickly. "Nothing, nothing, really. How... how about we head back?", she suggested and looked back.
Zidane perked his eyebrows up. "This early already? Nah, I'm sitting underground the whole night and during... jobs. So I like to spend my days outside."
Dagger hesitated. "How about we go in there?", she then suggested and pointed at a bar nearby.
Zidane frowned. "That old honky-tonk? You serious?"
Dagger nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I love that place!"
Zidane shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so."
"You lied", Zidane stated while looking at the all tiny, crouched Dagger. He was sitting on a chair, with his back to the door, his upper body leaned against the backrest, a stein full of beer in front of him.
Dagger shook her head. "No, I didn't, I really do like this pace!", she said hastily.
Zidane perked one eyebrow up. "So? Then why don't ya drink somethin'?"
Dagger looked at the cup, which surely had been white and clean – a few ages ago. She wasn't even sure if it was really a cup or manifested dirt, coincidentally having the shape of a cup. She hadn't touched it yet.
"I a- … I'm not thirsty, to be honest", she replied and looked away. Again, Zidane gave her a weird look.
"Ahuh? Then why did you say "Come on, let's go in there and drink something!"?"
Silence came, as loud as a thunderstorm. Then, a shy sigh.
"I... Okay, I admit it, I lied!", she finally gave in. Zidane chuckled. "You're not a good liar, y'know?"
No answer.
Zidane took the stein and took a huge slug. "Seriously. I don't want to stay in here all day. Even I don't like this place – and that means somethin'."
"But...", Dagger began but then hesitated.
Zidane leaned his head to one side. "Is there a special reason why you don't want to be seen outside?"
Dagger looked up alarmed and Zidane rolled his eyes as he laughed at her. "It's pretty obvious, y'know?"
She smiled shyly. "I guessed so. I'm sorry Zidane, but I can n- … can't tell you."
"Hey, it's fine", Zidane said, leaned over and tapped her on her shoulder, leaving his hand there. Surprised, the Dark Princess looked up at his wide grin. "As long as it's no trouble for us. And now, let's leave this place. There surely are some places we can go that are nicer and still hidden."
Dagger nodded. "Alright, then." She got up walked around the desk. Suddenly, she stumbled and fell against a barrel, which shook heavily.
"KUPO!", a loud cry sounded and a small creature, pink and fluffy, flew out of the barrel and landed on the desk. Accusingly, it looked at Dagger. "Watch your step next time, kupo!"
The young woman stared at the pom pom, a red ball, hanging from the creature's head. It's nose reminded of a koala, the head was round-shaped and around it's neck was even more, slightly darker fur. Slowly, Dagger moved closer and poked the creature in the stomach. "What are you?", she asked confused.
The creature waved with it's short arms. "Kupoo! No, stop poking, kupo!"
"Have you never seen a moogle?", Zidane asked while leaning over Dagger's shoulder. She looked at him. "This is a moogle? I read something about them, but I never thought they'd live in cities of human."
Ignoring Dagger's words, Zidane looked at the moogle. "Yo, Mosh. What'cha doing here? Aren't you living in the chapel?"
The moogle managed to nod and shake its head at the same time. "Yes, kupo! But once in a while, even a moogle likes to go out. Isn't that right, kupo?" Then, it looked at Dagger. "For interrupting my rest, you now have to carry this mail, kupo." It handed a letter to Dagger. "Please deliver this mail to Mois."
Surprised, Dagger took the letter. "But... who is Mo-?", she wanted to ask, but the moogle spread its bat-like wings and flew off.
Zidane chuckled. "Poor you. Now, you're stuck with moogles."
Dagger looked at him confused. "But where can I find this Mois?"
Zidane shrugged his shoulders. "I've once heard he lives in the Ice Cavern, in the south-west of the Evil Forest."
The young woman opened her eyes wide. "What?! But that's so far away! I'll never get the chance to go there..." Suddenly, her voice sounded sad. "The poor Mosh. How can I explain this to him?"
"Well", Zidane said as he closed his eyes, making an unconcerned face, "You could give the letter to me. With Tantalus, I surely will come across the Ice Cavern sooner or later."
Dagger's face sparkled. "Really? Would you do that? I would be so thankful!"
"Of course", Zidane added with only one eye open, "only for a reward."
Suddenly, Dagger became quiet, her expression almost worried. "What do you wish for?", she asked shyly.
Zidane leaned in on her. "Promise me that I may visit you once you're gone and I get the chance to head off from Lindblum."
Dagger looked surprised at the young thief's face.
"Come on, give it a start", he jokingly said and smiled.
The young woman nodded. "O-okay."
Zidane took off one of his gloves and held his pinky finger to her. "Promise?", he asked.
Without her wanting to, Dagger had to smile lightly. She removed one of her gloves as well and gave Zidane her pinky finger. "Promise", she said. Now, Zidane's smile was even bigger. "Awesome!", he said happily and took Dagger's hand. "Let's go!", he exclaimed, ignoring Dagger's protest.
The young woman was quiet. Her eyes were opened wide when she watched the sunset, sitting on the roofs of the houses of Alexandria. Zidane watched her. "Is everything alright?", he asked.
Dagger shook herself slightly, then looked at him and smiled. "Yes, it is. It's just... It's so wonderful. I've never realized how beautiful Alexandria can be. I've always seen... it's bad sides... The unsatisfied citizens, the old buildings, all the costs that come upon... the Queen."
Zidane nodded. "Yeah, when we first got here, I was shocked. Lindblum has just so much better conditions. The people there are a lot more busy, of course, but they are all happy. Cid obviously is a good king, for sure."
Dagger looked at him. "Have you ever seen Cid Fabool in persona?", she asked.
Zidane shook his head. "Nope. I even haven't been in the castle. I wanted to, but Baku forbid it. He said it was too dangerous."
"You... would really do anything Baku tells you, right?", she asked saddened and looked back to the beautiful scenery of the golden light playing on the calm water.
Zidane thought about that question carefully. "Probably. I owe him my life. And I disappointed him once and I still regret it."
Dagger looked at him. "How did you disappoint him?"
Suddenly, Zidane kept quiet. He stared over the water, and suddenly, he felt cold.
"I-I'm sorry", Dagger said and looked away quickly. "I shouldn't have asked."
"Nah, it's okay", Zidane said. "I will tell you one day, for sure." He smiled at her, then he got up. "Let's head back. Baku wouldn't want us to be outside for so long.
Dagger nodded, got up and followed him. She walked close beside him until they reached the headquarter. In front of Dagger's separated room (Baku insisted on it – he knew the boys too well), she shyly said: "Thank you for showing me this awesome scenery. I never would've thought that such a place can inherit such beauty." She looked away as her eyes met Zidane's. "Thank you very much."
Zidane just shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "Never mind. Sleep tight, Dagger. Oh", he added once he had turned around, "and don't try to run away, you hear? I will watch over you." Then he left.
Dagger looked after him. "Thank you", she whispered once more.