Filling In The Blanks

A/N: Okay! The next chapter! I look forward to it... I'm on the eleventh chapter (if you count the prologue), and I think I'm going to post soon! :D Wish me luck! Lol... (Tis June 12 right now - let's see how long it takes me to get this chapter up, huh?)

Disclaimer: I don't own it, nor have I the last ten chapters, nor do I plan to in the next ten chapters.

Quick Random Thought: Where has the good weather gone?

Chapter 10: Routine

The clashing of daggers rang through the air, creating a sense of normality. It was a fine evening, to a great day. Crickets chirped a song of nature that no one could understand, but greatly appreciated, the long grass swaying in rhythm being the beautiful and talented dancers, and inside this grass were Zidane and Blank.

The two of them had been practicing for hours on end, from when they got up, to the very moment in time they were trying to defeat each other in battle, only stopping occasionally for a break. Sweat beaded down their faces and backs, the light breeze of twilight feeling good on their hot flesh.

Sparkling sapphire orbs against unseen emerald ones held trust and a sense lacking cautiousness, as each grinned at the other, trying to deceiver their next move.

"Give it up, Blondie," the redhead joked, spinning around, planting his boot firmly into the soil before blocking the steel from hitting him, "you'll never win!"

"I could kick your ass any day," his best friend challenging, dropping his dagger to his tail, and flipping backwards to avoid getting hit, the tail coming from the side to hit Blank with the hilt.

The shorter teenager toppled over into the grass, hooting at how hilarious that specific move looked while preformed. He commented on Zidane's furry tail never taking place in helping him battle before, and would now allow it to be hit in battle with some importance.

"At least I've got a tail to help me out... You have squat."

"I have my dignity," he chortled, keeping the cracks at his friend rolling as the blonde plopped down in the grass next to him.

Depending on the way they lounged, they could see the tip of the short black mage's hat in the luscious jade sea, its waves rolling slowly, sending a tranquil vibe into the air.

The bronze haired woman was defending herself with multiple shell spells in a row, in an attempt to go on the offense, as Vivi kept aiming fire spells at it. It was apparent that his heat attacks were more appropriate, and not to mention powerful, than his freezing attacks. They couldn't miss, no matter how far back they were, the grin of satisfaction and triumph on his mentor's lips.

"Do you think he'll outshine Nadina?" Zidane asked, not even having to gesture over to the pair still duking it out.

It was easier for them, at such a late hour, because their spells illuminated their field, allowing them short spurs of light, where even the forceful clanking of the metal daggers, scraping against each other, couldn't create a flashing spark.

"It's hard to say. Nadina has been around magic for a very long time, but Vivi seems to have extraordinary skill."

"Who knew you were a thinker," he found that making jabs back wasn't challenging at all, and the redhead didn't take any offense believing that he deserved it after the tail harassment.

Instead he took a different course of action, "I know - it's amazing how a brain can turn on in five years."

Zidane had to laugh at that one. For being so sour all the time before his return, Blank really knew how to make a comeback with his attitude. Everyone was grateful for the return of the joking and wining of the redhead, and it was just a matter of time before Baku could ask him to possibly transfer back to his old team.

Although the blonde didn't know if he would or not. Of course, since he was back, there was no reason for anyone to feel mopey, besides the circumstances, and the shifts the war was taking. By any means, the resistance should have had the advantage after finding the two stray dreamers. But that was really beside the point. Blank had made his own little family of the two girls and bulky knight, and although at times a little dysfunctional, he believed that Blank was happy. Just because the blonde was back in the picture, he didn't want to shatter what his friend had going.

At any rate, Zidane didn't know where he was going to go, or if he would be placed on any team. He had no ideas on the future, considering it was so essential he didn't get captured. So he couldn't tell if he'd be sifted through directly to Steiner's brigade, or stopped and set on the Tantalus ship. Whatever happened though, he prayed he was good enough to land a nice spot with people he knew.

A shudder of the wind made them all turn, the magic vanishing from the air as though a suction cup had been pulled of glass. The pressure could be heard before it could be seen, and felt before it could be accounted for. A cold rain suddenly began to pelt them from the sky, and although the two thieves thought it felt nice, Nadina shrieked for them to come, as they couldn't be wet and enter the fortress.

It seemed to him though, that they would be drenched by the time they got there, and it occurred to him to ask someone who wouldn't find his questions stupid - Dagger perhaps - if the hide out had ever been flooded. Surely this was a harder rain than he had seen in a long time, but not dangerous in the least.

Laughing suddenly, he began to race with the redhead beside him, water splashing up onto his pants, soaking his shoes until they were drenched. But he felt comfortable, and a feathery bubble of fun seemed to plant itself around the two of them.

Nothing - not even the rain - could physically or metaphorically dampen their spirits now.

??

This routine went on for a lengthy amount of time. It was comfortable, and all the while tiring, as to where no one had any room to pose drama inside the spacious - as Zidane discovered, bored one rainy day - hideout. It had been a week since the rain, and he still hadn't found a time to ask if it would flood or not, the concern never dwindling from his overflowing mind.

But tonight, the routine would be broken. Blank had managed to persuade everyone that Zidane was indeed ready to scout with the rest of the group. If problem were to occur, he would be able to avoid it. The blonde was touched by the amount of faith planted on his shoulders, but also nervous.

What if some odd sequence of events unfolded, and he was forced to make a decision - one that was wrong? But Blank, Vivi, and Dagger, who, as plain as day, were the ones he would be closest to at this time, as the Tantalus crew went back out on a mission, not having completed theirs fully when they met Zidane again, assured him he would do fantastic.

When he had time to himself, the Genome reflected on his relationship with the three. With Blank, it began to mold into a competitive friendship, although when push came to shove, they would help each other out in a heartbeat. Their bond grew, and from the memories Blank shared with him every so often, he knew they would end up closer friends than they had been before.

With Vivi, he seemed to take on role model. He was slightly entertained by this idea, his cocky ego bloated, but not so much as any outsider with an opinion would be able to tell the difference. He tried to enlighten the black mage as best he could, with skills he learned, or already knew that the young mage did not. Zidane knew that Vivi would teach him new ideas as well, which would ultimately lead to an exquisite friendship of perfect balance.

But with Dagger... He could not figure out just how that was going to go. His normal personality was saucy, he could admit that. He was like that with Elouise and Vienna in his illusion world as well, and although he was asleep, Cid had ensured him that he possessed the same personality. This rubbed off, and no matter how hard he tried, he seemed to make these unconscious comments that really ticked her off.

Although there were the rare few occasions that he seemed to brand himself sweet in her book. That would be ruined ten minutes later, but the opinion still stood, although sometimes he would burry it with his idiotic remarks. He knew that in due time they'd become close friends, just like with everyone else, but with the girl it would be exceedingly hard. He noticed things about her - things that perhaps he was the only one who thought, or things everyone already knew; the seventeen-year-old did not forget he was the newcomer, although already being there before.

Cid was sweeter on her, than with others. He wasn't as harsh, and he'd have private conversations, and make time for her, although not on every occasion - he didn't want to make Dagger seemed spoiled - but privileged was the better word. And with Steiner and Beatrix, sometimes the bandit would have to contain himself. Their ever watchful eye glared at him like a hawk if he was too persistent, and that got him wondering.

But in the end, he figured it was them being cautious and protective (much too protective, if asked his opinion) of their youngest female member. The only other that was close to her in age was Ruby, but she still out held herself by at least three years. Thinking on the matter harder, before Vivi came around, she was seemingly the youngest member.

"Hey!" A voice behind him, the sound of fluttering footsteps, and huffs of sugary-sweet breath broke through his revive, "Are you ready to go?"

He turned, his sapphire eyes knowingly turning fond as a smile crept onto his lips unconsciously, "Yeah... I'm all set, just waiting on you."

"You make it sound like a bad thing," she smiled, the raven colored hair framing her face, contrasting against the pale skin of her cheeks.

"Trust me, Dagger," he grinned, and she knowingly glared at him in return, "it's not."

Laughing at her irritated expression, he walked past her, "Let's go! It should be interesting to try this out!"

"You better be careful! No goofing around tonight, Zidane, and I mean it! I will tell Beatrix and Steiner."

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" He feigned sadness, placing a hand over his chest, hurt.

"Well no... Of course I wouldn't, but the threat is kind of nice, isn't it?" She smiled walking ahead of him, and taking advantage of his stupefied moment to climb up the ladder first, "You do have to follow my lead though..."

"I'm well aware of that!" He scoffed playfully, looking at her once they reached the inside of the house.

The section of the mayor's house had nothing essential in it, where the rebellion members could easily come and go as they pleased, no matter the hour. Of course at this time, the mayor's wife, whose black hair was pinned atop her head, a red dress cascading to the floor played a classic tune on the piano. He sat on the couch listening with his eyes closed, his black haired daughter sitting on his lap, swaying to the tune.

Dagger tried so hard to be quiet, opening the door and sneaking out, while Zidane tried equally hard to close it with the same amount of noise. It didn't work as well as he planned, and it ended up slamming, interrupting the flow of the piano keys for only a moment.

"Don't be so inconsiderate to the townspeople - they're kind enough to let us stay here..." She muttered, standing straight and positioning her staff on her back in the right way.

"Wha - I didn't even try!" Zidane protested, running to catch up after being momentarily baffled at her slightly snide comment.

"Of course you didn't, Zidane," she sighed, distressed, wondering just how everyone was going to end up dealing with him in the future.

"Believe what you want..." He mumbled, defiant to her advice.

After walking in silence for a while, the conversation picked up easily, and he supposed it was just a bit of small talk. Either something was going to drop and they would start arguing again, or it would turn into an in depth conversation where they wouldn't be able to possibly focus on their task at hand anymore.

Glancing backwards, he saw that surprisingly, Dali seemed a far ways away, even though it didn't seem like they had walked very far. Fixing his gaze on a large mountain ahead of them, Dagger seemed to answer the question that floated into his mind.

"That's the ice caverns," she smiled slightly, "it's very strange in there. In order to get from Alexandria to Dali on foot, you have to go through them..."

"Sounds fascinating..." He cringed, hoping he didn't have to take that journey for a long time; walking all the way to the capitol of the nation sounded tiring to him even trying to imagine it.

"I can tell you're entranced..." She teased, her eyes bright even in the darkness.

"I'm so entranced; I could break out into a monologue!" With her challenging glance, he jokingly used an acting voice he acquired and never forgot, reciting lines from his own play he had memorized so easily, "Out in the moonlight daze of the night, we shall run away - run from all the problems of your nation and your people, and your family. My dear sweet," he kneeled on his knees, arms spread in front of him, Dagger in his line of sight, "we could leave the troubles behind, and thou shall be free of kindling fire of hate and rage, and thy shall protect you from all as you spread your wings and fly!"

She stopped for a moment, blinking as he burst out laughing at her face, "Didn't think I was a poet, did you? Thought I was too stupid?"

"No, no! It's just... That sounds... Really familiar... And the way you preformed that, even that small section... It was fascinating and just... Wow," she smiled, impressed, but then paused, slightly shocked, "Did you recite that from I Want to be Your Canary?"

"What?" He questioned, wondering how she could have possibly known that, as he didn't tell anyone about that dream. Then he groaned, realizing he had gotten the idea indeed from a dream. "Yeah... If that's what that play was called."

Realizing what he meant right away, she exploded into a fit of giggles, before he narrowed his eyes and chased after her, her quiet squeals of protest filling the silence with a calming sound from an illusion where the world indeed, just as he had recited, wasn't affiliated with problems.

Chocobo talons clattering against the rocky path made both of them stop and sit up, alert and unwavering. Zidane, looking in the right direction, knew exactly what it was, and tackled the girl into the grass. Only for a moment did a blush creep to her face, until the voices drown out the embarrassment of being stuck in the grass, the blonde holding her down.

"Did you find them?" A gruff and harsh voice questioned; the two of them could almost feel the glare, as it if it were pointed at them directly.

"N - not yet, sir..." a younger voice, masked with armor over his mouth, informed him.

"B - But we -" The voice was choked off with spit and armor clutching armor.

Zidane peaked only his eyes over the grass to see what was going on. The older man on the white chocobo, armored and angry at being out at such a late hour, grasped the throat of one of the footmen in gold.

"Find them, or the punishment for this mistake will be on your head!" He snarled, his voice booming, shattering the silence of the prairie field.

When they began to turn in the blonde's direction, he sunk lower to the ground, his arms shaking in an attempt to keep his weight off of the girl below him while being so nervous. Slowly he got lower, her hot, quick breath blowing onto his face. Closing his eyes, he prayed whatever way the soldiers were going to go, it wasn't closer to them. But after several minutes, he look backed up, straining his arms just a moment more, and seeing no one around, collapsed to the side of her.

She was afraid to sit up, her dark brown eyes wide with confusion and fear. He looked over at her, his own body jittery and rigid all at the same time.

"What... The hell... Just happened?" She whispered, her voice hoarse.

He sat up and looked around, seeing the peaceful night once again, and stood, his eyes landing on her trembling body, "There were... Guards out. They're looking for Vivi and me..."

"We have to go back!" Although she expressed this, she couldn't move, and Zidane thought it his job to help her up.

"Which way do you want me to go?" He muttered, keeping his voice low and allowed his eyes to dart around.

She shivered with the next wind that swept their scent away. Although the soldiers alone wouldn't be able to catch their scent, she didn't know what all they had, which scared her...

"Just try and locate Dali... Follow our trail through the grass, and try to bring it back up so they can't find us..."

"Got'cha," his one word answer was filled with a nonchalant attitude, and made her some what more relieved to be with him.

"Zidane?" She whispered, hoping he wouldn't take what she was about to speak as a joke.

"Yeah?" He asked, not looking at her; she could tell he picked up his speed from a fast walk to a trot.

"Thanks... I mean for knowing what to do. I sure wouldn't have, and it frightened me. Whenever I've been on patrol nothing has ever happened. I can't fathom the confusion I would have had, since nothing exciting like this has happened in a really long time."

"It's really not a problem," he spoke softly and it was one of the times she thought he was truly genuine and sweet, "I'll always protect you, Dagger."

Even if it was an attempt to flirt, or if it was his own words it made it even better, but she didn't care. The sincerity in his voice broke through her slight fear, and made her more relaxed. She figured Zidane would be someone to look to in the future if things got bad - she could count on him, and she owed him her respect...

When they were finally back, the mayor had already gone to bed. With a desperate need to spread the word, the girl let go of the blonde's leading hand as soon as they reached the kitchen. It seemed as though everyone had had a stressful enough day where they all went to sleep.

As hastily as she could, the girl walked down the hall, the pitter-patter of her feet echoing softly against the stone. Picking up speed, she made her way to Beatrix's room, almost running into Steiner on the way. She knew though, if she told him, he would go into an uproar and possibly blame Zidane, while the brunette would keep a level head, at least enough where she wouldn't blame him.

Knocking rapidly but quietly on the door, she noticed Steiner's presence lingered behind her. Dagger could expect it though - she was early from her shift, and he was just waking up to take his.

Beatrix came to the doorway, unexpecting to see Steiner right there, as the band she wore around her head was gone, her hair in a messy ponytail, only being clad in her armored pants, and a shirt much like Dagger's undershirt, but in black.

"Dagger?" She mumbled, pulling a candle to the door to get a better look at the out of breath girl.

"Beatrix something has happened..." The woman appeared more alert then, and stepped out of the room, trying to look professional, even with the profound blush on her cheeks with the knight so close when she was at her worst.

"What's wrong?" She questioned as Dagger lead her down the hall, the armor-clad man at their heels.

"We were out on patrol - Zidane and I were, and we saw knights. They were looking for Vivi and him... At night!" She emphasized the word as it absolutely blew her away that they were scouting without the aid of the sun's rays.

"Don't panic... We'll call a meeting..." Going out of the room, and lighting a candle in the hallway, she pulled on a rope that ultimately lead to a bell that creaked while it rang, mimicking the sound a normal bell would make, although blasting it through the small passageways and rooms.

People were there in a matter of minutes, everyone gathering around the two in the kitchen, Dagger's back completely filthy with dirt, Zidane's with grass stains and brushed off particles.

After the story was explained, everyone thought of what to do.

"Maybe they should leave!" A tall man, probably only in his lower twenties suggested, glaring slightly, "Everything was fine before they came."

The man had black hair that hung in front of his piercing blue eyes, so scary blue he almost looked blind. His pale skin added to the creepy affect, and he wore normal clothes, similar to everyone else's but his weapon was a sword, even bigger than Steiner, and much fatter. It was definitely intimidating, and he stood out.

"That sounds like a better idea than the ones I've heard lately, Darious!" The human who lost his arm in the battle they suffered in a little more than a week ago, waggled his stub in the air, "Look what's happening to us because they've come, we're falling apart!"

Vivi looked helplessly from the men to Dagger's team, hoping feverently that they didn't side with the humans. He didn't know what he would do if he were kicked out. He only hoped that if it did come to that, Zidane would be with him... But where would they go? Everyone was hunting them...

"That's ridiculous!" Dagger almost shouted, her pent up anger almost bursting, "If it hadn't been for Zidane tonight, I could have easily made a mistake!" She tried her hand in defense, but Beatrix put a hand on her should to hush her.

The only thing the girl could do was look helplessly up to the brunette, her expression screaming for her to do something.

"I say we take them out of the equation!" The first man glared harder now, walking closer to Zidane, sizing him up, making him ball his hands into fists. "Either that or we kill them, that way Kuja won't get his paws back on them!"

Out of reflex, Dagger's hand shot out to grab the gloved, fisted hand of the blonde, eyes almost tearing to know she could have potentially been the cause of this. Zidane shot her a sympathetic look, trying to calm her down.

"They're extremely valuable to us... They're powerful, and they can fight -"

"Far better than you can, Darius!" Dagger kept digging herself a hole, but the men didn't bat an eyelash at her, even if the Genome didn't know the reason.

"And they might just be what this resistance needs to take our rebelling to the next step... The decision is made - they will stay..." Cid inquired, nodding.

Mumbling, the man stalked out of the room, but not before shoving a chair at the black mage, who almost got hit, if it wasn't for Steiner who stopped it by stabbing it with his sword - surely it would have knocked the poor mage out.

??

Another week went by, and just to make sure, Cid decided to keep Zidane and Dagger off patrol. Everyone was careful for the first few days, taking precautions that were normally skipped. Such as locking the mayor's door when they came and went, staying close and possibly even in Dali for food, and traveling at odd hours.

For the first couple of dawns, some people were sensitive around Vivi and Zidane, some venting their anger on how ridiculous it would be to even consider getting rid of them, and some completely avoiding them. Not that the blonde blamed any of them, but it got rather old until everything died down.

With no sign of the guards anymore, they were finally let back on patrol as a test run, to see if they could see anything else. In reality, everyone was well aware of the fact it indeed was not their fault, but rather, it was mere coincidence of the timing. The two only felt bad because they were messing around just before hand.

"Zidane?" Dagger asked quietly, breaking the invisible wall between them.

It had been silent the whole time, and they were rounding their last hill before heading back to Dali. She could swear she was going to nod off soon enough, and she couldn't believe how tight the air was, and just how challenging it was to breathe when he was lost in thought, not bothering her or chatting with her in the least bit.

"Yes?" He asked as equally hushed.

"Everything's going to be fine - I mean, we're almost back!" She smiled brightly, gesturing towards the field; nothing had happened, so she had every right to be happy.

"Don't jinx it, Dagger..." He wisely said, although she could see the grin stretching to come onto his features, just waiting impatiently to light up his face.

She let out a low laugh, "We're almost back there -"

A rustle in the grass made her almost scream. Luckily, Zidane caught her mouth with his hand just in time, and tumbled backwards in the grass, this time, she was protectively to the side of him, tucked under his strong upper body just so, because he didn't know the danger, and it was a lot closer than last time.

But what popped its head out of the grass was not what Dagger had expected at all. Even transitioning into the peak of darkness in the night, even all bugs and animals asleep, she knew that face and she would know it anywhere.

Slightly nudging Zidane to the side so she could sit up, her eyes fixing on the beautiful face, she questioned almost breathless, not seeing this person in months, "Freya?"

??

A/N: OH MY GOD! It's Freya! Lol... Did anyone suspect that? Lol... I really liked that chapter. Dagger is so adorable with Zidane, I just realized how much I love them!!

I hope you all love it so far, and I PRAY you all leave some love for me! I work so hard on this story. Sorry it's so long - again it wasn't supposed to be!!

-zesty-