Ever After, Part 11

The genome female wanted to lose herself in his thoughts again. She wanted to explore his body, but the moment had been ruined by a familiar sensation. "Zidane is returning."

With an absent glance at the wall behind him, Kuja said, "Good. I was beginning to worry. I hope he's brought food."

Mikoto was already jerking her dress back on. "No. He has brought Lani back." She rose from the bed and walked stiffly out of the room. Something like a smile, but more conspiratory touched Kuja's lips. His mind wandered as he lounged back on the bed and fondled his erection. How soon would it be before Mikoto lost control altogether and strangled the bounty hunter? Kuja didn't want to see Mikoto have to resort to violence, but the scene would be interesting...

Pacing just outside their home, Mikoto had a sudden inspiration to strangle Lani when she finally arrived. The young genome clenched her hands and peered out in the direction from which she could sense Zidane's return. Should she walk out to meet them, or would it seem that she knew they were coming? She didn't want to seem eager, but she just couldn't stand and wait for them. Her agitation made her shoulders tense and the unfamiliar sensation really frustrated her. Should she just go look for food and come back when Zidane and Lani are settled in? No, she thought. She wanted Zidane to know exactly how upset she was at Lani's return. Surely he'd take her side and send Lani away. After all that trouble Lani caused...

Zidane leaned down and let Lani slide down off his back. His thighs, his knees, and even his tail hurt from carrying her and her enormous axe for the past dozen miles. As he stretched, he remarked, "You sure do cause a lot of trouble."

Lani rested her weight on her axe and winced at the fatigue in her thighs. "I cause trouble? At least I have hips so people don't fuckin' slide down when I'm carrying them piggyback. Er-if I were ever carry anyone piggyback that is." After she said it, she realized how lame an argument that was. Lani was too tired to care.

"Well hey, I didn't hear you complaining when you were rubbing yourself against my tail." Zidane even turned around to demonstrate the wet fur sticking up on the base of his tail.

In a very unusual display of coyness, Lani blushed. Abruptly, she changed the subject. "We aren't far now, right? I think I can see the edge of the ruins."

The thief nodded as he adjusted his belt. "Just over that rise. It'll feel good to get back. Too bad I had to come back empty-handed." Lani glanced his way curiously and he remarked, "I'd been out hunting when I got the letter."

Lani's lips pulled themselves into a thin, straight line. "There's gotta be a good way to get food around here. I'm sure as hell not sticking around where there's no food."

With a signal to keep moving, Zidane led Lani down a gentle slope. "Well, it isn't exactly like we can go to the grocery store, you know? It'd be so convenient if we could get an airship drop-off or something."

Doing her best to keep pace with the nimble genome, Lani limped after him. "Maybe not an airship, but how about moogle delivery? MogNet delivers packages too, doesn't it?"

Zidane stopped with a skid so abruptly that Lani stumbled into him. When he recovered himself, he turned and gripped Lani by the shoulders. The woman tensed, not sure what to expect. "That's brilliant!" Zidane exclaimed with a smile. He kissed Lani hard on the lips so suddenly that she didn't have a moment to enjoy it. After the kiss, he leapt into the air triumphantly. "I know Morrison personally. I'm sure I could call in a favor a two. And you-you know the moogles around here right."

Lani nodded dumbly. Zidane's excitement had really put her off her guard.

"Great!" He continued. "Let's go, c'mon! We have to tell Mikoto and Kuja the good news. Man! They're going to be happy to see you!"

Shaking her head quietly, Lani hobbled after the thief who was quicky outpacing her. "Just as long as I get a chance to sit down when this is over. My legs are killing me," she complained aloud.

Dashing directly back to the house, Zidane spotted Mikoto pacing around the garden. He called out to her to which she only turned and put her hands on her hips. It wasn't until Zidane was within conversing distance that he saw Mikoto's less than hospitible statement. Uh oh. Zidane forced a smile as he approached, knowing quite well that Mikoto knew what his next question was going to be.

"Guess who I found," Zidane chuckled uncomfortably.

Mikoto turned her back on him and picked at something on one of the leaves. She concentrate on keeping her thoughts to herself, even though she could sense Zidane's forthcoming apology clearly. She didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to accept his apology, but she had no idea why she was acting this way.

"C'mon, Miko... don't be like that. You're not the spiteful type." Zidane kept his distance remembering just how Mikoto could be when she was angry.

Spite. Is that what that feeling was? Anger seemed a lot like spite. How could anyone tell them apart? Mikoto hung her head ashamedly and turned back to Zidane. She offered no apology for her feelings, but explained, "I do not like that woman. She makes me SO angry!" Mikoto glanced up to see the sympathy in Zidane's eyes. "Yes, I am afraid of my own anger," she answered his unspoken question. "I try not to be afraid. I- - Kuja told me if I am afraid all my life, I won't enjoy living as much, but what can I do?"

"You learn to control it," Zidane answered easily. "I had to, Kuja had to, even Lani has to. We all have to learn how to control our anger. That doesn't mean never getting angry, you know. There are times when it comes in handy. Not on friends, though. It's just not worth it to get angry at friends." Mikoto clutched her hands behind her back, looking wholly uncomfortable with herself. Zidane stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, but just because you did lose your temper once doesn't mean we're going to hold it against ya, okay? You're still learning how to express yourself, and you're gonna make mistakes along the way."

The rest, Zidane left unspoken, knowing Mikoto could pick up the thread of thought. She felt she didn't deserve his warm understanding, not when she made such a mistake. It felt strange not to be heavily disciplined for her errors. That's how life was with Zidane and Kuja, though. It was a softer life, and she just felt more secure with them. A sheepish smile turned her lips. Zidane ruffled her bright gold hair until she batted him away playfully.

A loud 'harumf' sounded off to their side and both genomes turned to see Lani standing there, leaning heavily on her axe. Mikoto straightened and stared the bounty hunter in the eye. Lani was the first to break eye contact, looking down and away to avoid having to explain herself or apologize.

"You're hurt," Mikoto observed. Lani rolled her eyes and expected an 'I told you so'. When Mikoto invited her inside, Lani turned a curious statement on her.

"Why are you inviting me inside? I thought you didn't want me here."

Mikoto folded her hands in front of herself and said evenly, "I'm going to heal your leg."

Lani looked from one genome to the other and threw her hand up in dismissal. "After everything I've done, you still want to help me? I'll never understand you monkeys."

Zidane walked past Mikoto and as their tails brushed, Mikoto smiled. "You don't need a reason to help someone," she remarked. Mikoto extended a hand to Lani and when the bounty hunter clasped the younger girl's hand, she felt a tingle of power. As they maintained eye contact, something passed between them and Lani wasn't sure what it was, but somehow she trusted the monkey-tailed girl more.