Filling In The Blanks

A/N: This chapter is going to be great! I'm really excited to write it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 9. Though I wish I did, I don't own anything...

Quick Random Thought: This A/N, Disclaimer, and QRT are really short. That's how excited I am for this chapter!

Chapter 2: Best of the Best

"Five... Please..." He cracked a sheepish smiling, knowing quite well the person would give him a weird look. "It's in case of emergencies!"

Reluctantly, the store owner set five potions on to the counter for the blonde to take. He nodded his thanks and hopped out of the creaky, old store.

"I hate that place... Thanks for getting them for me!" The girl smiled at him, taking her potions and putting them into her leather bag.

"You owe me big time, Elouise... Just those five potions added up to two hundred and fifty gil!" Zidane scolded his best friend. Her pink blouse blew slightly in the breeze as she shrugged, her light hair falling more and more from its position in the bun.

"Yeah... I know I do, but that's why I buy you breakfast!" She laughed and turned on her heels, the laces of her matching pink shoes hitting the ground with no noise. The black shorts she wore didn't even reach her knees, which Zidane couldn't understand.

The strong wind of the day shot bits of sand like pistols through the air, making almost everyone complain. But not Elouise... She didn't care if her legs were so scratched they bled by the end of the day. She simply pranced down the street with pride, knowing exactly where she was going.

He really admired that about the girl. He needed some sort of assistance in just what to do with no lively events going on in the city, or no mischief to take place in... Something Elouise was quite good at.

"You know..." The girl said, whipping around so the wind blew her hair forward into her shimmering emerald eyes, "we could ditch our original place, and go hang out at Libby's... I'm sure Avalanch, Griffin, and Vienna are there. They love it there."

"Hey, if you'd like to go to Libby's that totally works... It's quieter there!" He grinned as he stood in front of her, wavering slightly from the force of the wind.

"Let's do that then... It's cheaper as well!" Elouise laughed as she waltzed off with grace, excited to see their other friends.

Zidane shook his head. The three others, plus the two of them were a perfect wrecking crew. He smiled at the thought of them living happily ever after, enjoying what time they had together, and who knew... Maybe Griffin and Vienna would end up together.

They were the kind of people who fought all the time, and absolutely hated each other, but at the end of the day they smiled at each other like nothing had happened at all. While Elouise was his best friend, his greatest guy friend was Griffin. Just as Vienna was Elouise's second runner up, Griffon and Zidane were as close as people could get.

As they walked into the café each of them scanned the area for their three friends. The place was small with wood all over and dim lights with old posters and newspaper clippings on the walls so that people got a feel of what used to be. Although some claimed the articles weren't accurate, they looked exactly as the ones did now... And that's something everyone knew - no one changed the style of the newspaper.

There were a few healthy green plants around the tables to give people the privacy they needed. This was a good place to go... It was one of the only places that didn't have the smell of the black mages. Libby, the owner of the shop (thus the name), hadn't allowed them in, considering they took the precious coffee, and never drank it. She thought it was ridiculous, and someone actually came out to talk to her about it. But she had held her ground.

She was lucky, Zidane figured. If she had been any ruder to the officials with a brain coming in, she could have been killed. They didn't normally intrude on the every day lives of the citizens of Alexandria, but when things like that erupted, they normally put that person in their place. Everyone thought it was good though - they needed a place the mages didn't linger.

"There!" She tugged at his hand, and yanked him over to a table, plopping him in a chair, creating an 'oof' sound, escaping his mouth before he could stop it.

"Hiya guys!" Vienna smiled, taking another sip of her coffee in the small glass.

Vienna was extremely pretty. She was a Bermecian that had blue tinted skin and white long hair that was held up in a pony tail, only wisps of hair framing her face. She was tall and thin, with shining aquamarine eyes that matched the black shorts and tank top she wore under a lavender jacket reaching her knees. Her personality was quiet, but bubbly around people she knew, and she was a lot more carefree than most people would expect. Her caring side mixed with her large temper creating a sort of funny moment.

"Hello Vienna..." Zidane started, sounding as though he wasn't up to something, "I see you and Griffon aren't fighting today," already he was slugged in the arm by Elouise who sent him a death glare to the next level, and Griffon who kicked him under the table.

Although, what made it worth it, was the rare blush on a Bermecian's face when she was embarrassed, not to mention a tough guy like Griffon having a soft spot.

Griffon was tall and mysterious with chocolate brown to black hair, and stormy grey eyes. Although he wasn't taller than Vienna, he acted more mature than even Elouise sometimes, taking a leadership roll when needed, otherwise sinking into the shadows. He had a joking side about him, but was absolutely fair and appropriate when it came to dealing with ladies. He was a charmer, like Zidane himself, only a little older, and far milder. His temper fuse was quite long, and he showed fear only when dealing with angry women.

"Go pick on Avalanch for once, would you?" Griffon mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, and lowering his head so no one could see his face.

"I would -" Zidane paused dramatically for a moment, "But then I think that there's nothing to make fun of Avalanch for!"

"Avalanch is an elf... There's absolutely nothing wrong with them..." Elouise glared, sticking up for her friend.

Avalanch was part of an ancient civilization that became scattered over the years - the Woodland Elves. They all generally looked the same with the same watery eyes, and creamy hair. Majestic, beautiful, and proud were in every elve's nature, and he was no acceptations. His hair was long - almost half way down his back, normally pulled up at the sides to show off his pointed ears. His skin was pale, and his eyes were an ocean blue, coming with a vision that could spot every particle of dust on even a white surface. He was tall and fast, with swift movements and stunning reflexes. He was quiet and didn't say a lot about anything, but he did laugh and joke when opportunity showed itself.

"There's their freaky ears..." Griffon joked, his head now back up, as though Zidane had said nothing.

Avalanch raised an eyebrow, and moved his head just right so his ear was purposely sticking out in Griffon's direction, "You said something Griffon? I couldn't hear you." He smirked, letting everyone but the brunette he was staring at in on the joke.

Griffon shifted uncomfortably, as though the piercing gaze he was receiving was extremely scary. Vienna ruined the joke with an unsuccessfully stifled giggle, which let itself out before she could help it. The human visibly relaxed and let out a breath no one knew he was holding.

"You can't do that!" He commented, rather bewildered, "It scares a person to death, Avalanch. You can't tell if you're joking or not, even if you're smiling!"

"You'll get over it."

"I don't know Elouise, he seems like he could be scarred for life..."

"Oh Zidane... So immature."

"I'm immature! Vienna, did you hear what she just called me?" He fake whined, glaring at nothingness in the air; no one could help but chuckle.

"You're so cute!" Elouise leaned over the table and smiled at him slightly seductive, her face darker in the dulled lighting.

Zidane could only laugh at the dumbfounded expressions plastered to the others' faces. They still couldn't believe Elouise had the guts to flirt with him, knowing he could very well take that chance to flirt with her back and never leave her alone. But he had always been in on the joke, which was why it never surprised him and he always had to chortle.

"It's amazing that we still even surprise Avalanch!"

"I thought there was nothing about Avalanch to make fun of!" Griffon came to his friend's moral aid, which received a glare from the blonde.

"Don't side with others! It's not nice!" he sighed, knowing he had been defeated when everyone raised an eyebrow at his hypocritical statement.

"Hey, Zidane?" Vienna asked, the look on her face showing she just remembered something.

"Yes Vien?" He questioned back, flashing her a smile.

"How is your play going?" She wondered, her eyes glimmering with excitement, despite the crappy amount of candles illuminating the place.

"Oh... That..." He sighed slightly depressed, and stared down at his drink he had just received from the waitress. "That's not going very good anymore..."

"What?" Griffon asked, suddenly interested in his friends random change of heart, "But it was excellent! A genius couldn't have come up with it! You're a master of play writing!"

"That's the thing... So, you all know I'm kind of a crazy sleeper... Well, that seemed to take over -" he stole a glance at Elouise to make sure she wouldn't say anything - he knew she knew it was about the dream, "and I knocked a glass of water over onto it."

"Ohhh! That's horrible! Zidane you already paid and everything! That entry fee was a really large amount of gil! You should really start it up again! You'd be able to remember!" Vienna's eyes widened with sympathy for him as her mind processed the information the quickest.

"Nah, it's cool. I know it wouldn't get me anywhere anyways... Alexandria isn't exactly known for its theaters, and it's not like I would ever go to Lindblum..."

"You never know..." Avalanch threw his opinion in as well, "You know some people go. My mother just went last week saying it would be better for gil and that she'd send some back for us every once and a while. She was really struggling."

"Lord Kuja often lets people struggling or people who win things go... It's pretty easy actually, and I bet if you won, you could go!"

"What about you guys?" He asked, his tone quieted down as he saw the waitress look up, signaling she was eavesdropping.

It was something Zidane had always been good at. He had the natural skill for getting in and out of trouble without being noticed and knowing just when people were paying attention to things that should sink in with the shadows. For instance, just then that waitress shouldn't have been eavesdropping, because his friends should have been camouflaged by being just a few more customers.

Glaring, he stood and walked up to the counter, surprisingly enough not catching her attention. Rather clankily, he dropped his glass on the wood, making the girl wearing a smidge too much make up jump in fright.

"Refill please... My table hasn't been being waited on..." He nodded as she refilled his glass, dejected the conversation had stopped momentarily.

When he returned to his seat, he explained why he had just randomly gotten up in a hushed tone, and repeated his earlier question, saying he hadn't heard the answer in fear of the waitress getting the wrong impression when they spoke of Kuja.

"We would eventually make it to you, Zidane..." Elouise nodded, determination dancing across her soft features, "God knows we wouldn't let you have all the fun!"

"We'd be your casting crew..." Avalanch threw in with a fond smile and a sharp nod. It was contrasting, but Zidane was touched.

"Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you until the very end!" He glanced up at the waitress again straining to listen. "Some people just don't learn their lesson huh? I'm going to go..." He stood from his chair, "see you all later... Elouise - stop by, my neighbor gave me some more tomato seeds, I would love to have you plant."

"Of course!"

"Vienna... They also gave me some beads to give to you... And Avalanch, for you too... It pays to live next to the mail person from outer city, huh?"

"What about me?" Griffon whined slightly - something very rare unless he was in a very teasing mood.

"Nothing for you Griffon, you aren't special enough..." Zidane stood and smirked before shrugging a jacket on to protect him from the wind, and walking out.

??

He hadn't realized how long of a walk it was home, and he was beginning to feel drowsy. Maybe it would have been better to go with Elouise, just so she wouldn't get lost or anything on her way. Zidane then figured Avalanch would walk her home, depending on how good of terms Vienna and Griffon were on.

Stepping onto the main market street, which was positively dead at night, contrasting with the bustle of the sunny days, echoes in an alley stopped him. He walked closer, before seeing a peculiar black mage in striped pants, blue and white coat, and a slightly old tan hat was being harassed by some larger dog like creatures, and a human.

Narrowing his eyes, he walked closer.

"What kind of black mage can talk?" They pushed the short mage backwards, the poor guy stumbling on his own feet, and falling to the ground.

One of the dogs snatched up whatever the mage was holding. Something Zidane couldn't see in the dark.

"I - I... I'm not like - th..." The small mage stuttered, his glowing yellow eyes wide with a scared light to them.

"You're not like what?" A large, dark, dog spat, "Not like them without their brains. A shrimp like you wondering around with stones like that don't have a brain either!"

"I think you should leave him alone..." Zidane's voice was extremely low and ominous, and it made the mage look up curiously at the stranger standing a few yards away, as the dogs and human turn around.

The human stepped forward as though he wanted to say something, but sized Zidane and his attitude up. After doing so, he huffed and turned, walking away with his gang.

The blonde jogged over and picked up the small ripped open package while the mage pushed himself to his feet. Looking down with a smile, he held out the package, "You okay?" he questioned cautiously.

"Y - Yeah..." The short little guy stuttered, "T - Thanks!"

"You shouldn't be out at night like this with idiots like that out there... You live around here?"

"The other side of Alexandria..." He noticed the glowing bright eyes couldn't look at him. They were always focused on the stone below them.

"Well..." Zidane fished a large sum of gil out of his pocket, and put it on top of the package in a pouch, "take that and stay at an inn. You'll get lost..."

"T - Thanks..." He stuttered again.

Zidane smiled and turned around, happy to help someone who seemed to be so nice. It was peculiar though, as no one usually saw mages that talked or even acknowledged another's presence.

??

"Kuja's forces are spreading, and we need to be quick if we want to stop them from over taking Madain Sari."

"That is one important place..." A redhead muttered, looking up.

"Are we going to get to go there?" The blonde found himself saying, a prick of excitement poking inside of him, trying to burst out.

"Near there at least..." The fat guy in front of them scratched his beard with a gloved hand. "To a place called Conde Petie. It isn't the largest place ever, but it has an inn, and people who can hide you out before making your way down to Kuja's troop of black mages to stop them."

"Are you sure you know what you're talking about, Baku?" Someone from behind the blonde questioned.

"Of course he does."

"I wasn't asking you Blank!" Sapphire eyes glanced as far left as they could go, before he turned his head to see the masked tall guy smirking at the redhead.

"Of course you weren't, Marcus..." He rolled his eyes and turned to the blonde who had stayed quiet, "What about you Zidane? Back me up!"

"I know Baku knows what he's doing... He's not a complete idiot..." Smirking, Zidane found himself talking in this strange wooden place that creaked slightly as though it were suspended in the air.

"We're lucky..." Their fat leader known as Baku coughed to get their attention back; the blonde found himself extremely interested in what he had to say. "That Regent Cid could supply us with an airship to get over here... It's amazing that he still can keep up with his airship building and be with the resistance..."

"More about Madain Sari please!" Zidane bounced in his chair slightly, "I want to go to the village of summoners, and get there soon. Didn't you just tell us that Kuja's forces would be up there soon?"

"Well yeah but -"

"Zidane just wants to kill some of those bastards, right Zidane?" The redhead known as Blank laughed and ruffled his hair.

Zidane growled and threw his sheathed dagger at his best friend. They all began to laugh and tackle each other down, Baku face planting and then joining them just to split it up. In the end, it didn't exactly work, as they all began a fake war between each other, before they could face the real glooms of war right under their noses...

??

Zidane woke up chuckling this time, his breath completely left from his lungs. He looked around his darkened room and realized it was just another dream.

Pain rippled through his chest. He was slightly disappointed this time... It was so real... And... Nice, which was something completely unexpected, as though he'd enjoy that life. But it didn't make sense once again. The same guy from the last dream, and he was there. They were in a different place, and there were more people, and on top of that... Kuja? They were going to attack the black mages? Why would they do that?

Zidane bit his lip, wondering what exactly was going to happen with his mind, if subconsciously, he was thinking about the destruction of their leader.

??

A/N: Well... I liked that chapter :) It was really fun to write and such too! Lol, I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions on it anyways!! And I apologize if anyone needs to complain about the length, it wasn't originally going to be so big, but... I couldn't exactly stop anywhere.

The next chapter is really interesting! Stay tuned!

-zesty-