Ever After, Part 13

"Do you think that whatever you have is what is making Mikoto sick?" Zidane asked quickly.

"I don't think so, no. The symptoms are totally different. Her power is still strong in her, too. I feel my wanning from day to day. Even a Flare spell would drain me right now."

"Is there anything we can do? Any medicine?"

Kuja chuckled deeply and tilted his head back to consider the clouds. "Garland said I would die soon. I expect I've even outlived his expectations. Nothing but hope has kept me going, Zidane. I don't think any medicine that any Gaian doctor could produce would draw out my lifespan any longer. Everyone dies. I've been Death's delivery man long enough to know that."

"Kuja," Zidane said breathlessly. "Why didn't you tell me? We could left together for Alexandria or Lindblum. We could have even gone to Daguerreo if you wanted."

"To do what," Kuja drawled. "I've enjoyed my time here with you and Mikoto. Lani has even proven to be entertaining from time to time." Kuja still wondered idly what it would take to convince Mikoto to strangle Lani.

"To..." Zidane trailed off, realizing Kuja was right. If it were true no doctors could help Kuja what did he hope to accomplish by dragging Kuja off to a more densely populated town? "You're right. I'm sorry. So... This changes things too, doesn't it?" Zidane felt empty, suddenly faced with the prospect of saying his final good-byes to Kuja. He thought he'd at least have another couple of weeks before any good-byes of any sort were exchanges. These farewells. Well, they'd be much more final than just good-bye.

"All things change, Zidane," Kuja recited with detachment. He began pacing again, weaving his long silver tail back and forth as he walked. "I want to live long enough to make sure Mikoto is in capable hands. I know you will be traveling back through Fossil Roo, though, and that's hardly as safe place for her right now." Zidane acquiesced with a nod and Kuja continued. "I want to see her back to the Black Mage village. I- -I'm not entirely sure how I'll be greeted there, but I want to make certain Mikoto has a safe place to live among our own kind."

"I understand." Zidane stood and intercepted Kuja in his pacing. "When do you want to leave?"

"Immediately or as soon as we're able. I want to go while I know I still have the strength to make the trip." Kuja reached out to push Zidane's golden locks back from his face. "I would ask you to stay with us, but I know you have other promises to keep with those you love."

"I'll see you both safely to the village then. It's the least I can do." Zidane's kind smile was heavy with remorse. Kuja cupped the young man's cheek and then impulsively pulled him close in a tight hug. Kuja served as the pillar of strength this time while Zidane cried silently. Hot tears soaked his brother's naked chest.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Lani stood and met the two genomes at the passageway between the bedroom and kitchen area. She noticed immediately Zidane's abrupt change of mood. Kuja looked as tired as ever. Without a word, Lani stood aside to let Kuja pass. After smoothing Mikoto's blankets, Kuja resumed his post, sitting at the end of the bed.

Zidane led the bounty hunter away with a gentle touch and a nod toward the door. Barely outside, Lani demanded, "Spit it out. What's going on?"

His eyes were still swollen from crying. Zidane knew it would be futile to try and deny something was wrong. "Kuja's dying." His own matter-of-fact tone surprised him. Even more startling was Lani's lack of reaction. "He's dying," Zidane repeated and this time, he felt his chest constrict with the threat of more tears.

"I know." Lani brushed her hair over her shoulder with a slow gesture. "There was an old stray dog that hung around us kids when I was growing up. He acted a lot like Kuja is before he... you know."

Pressing his lips together tightly, Zidane nodded. He lowered himself to the ground and sat cross-legged. His gaze drifted to the towering clouds beyond the ruined walls of the city. Several times in his adventures he faced the prospect of losing his friends. He'd even come close to losing his adopted family members too. How he was feeling when Blank sacrificed himself and was turned to stone didn't even compare with the heartache he felt now. Why was that? Because he knew it was coming? He dreaded the prospect of losing Kuja. The man had such an impact on his world- - on his entire life story that losing him meant an entire chapter of Zidane's life would come to an end. Worse yet, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Lani offered sympathy the only way she comfortable. She gave Zidane a soft slap on the back of the head to get his attention and remarked, "It's not the end of the world, you know. I mean, I'm not thrilled to see him go, but we all buy the chocobo farm sometime."

Zidane scowled. How could she be so crass- - so flippant? Why did she remind him so much of his time with Tantalus? Why did that too make him angry now? Zidane had an urge to just tear something apart. He wanted a trance to overtake him just so he could release his befuddled emotions in one, terrifying blast of energy. It wouldn't come, though. His neck and shoulders ached from unspent tension and finally, he drove his fist into the hard ground with a dull thump.

"That's not gonna help either," Lani sneered. "Don't look at me like that! It's not my fault." When Zidane went back to a huddled, brooding position, Lani tried to be more conventionally sympathetic. "It's hard to know he's gonna die, huh?"

A quick dip of his head in the affirmative and Zidane answered, "That's the hardest part, I think. That and knowing I can't do anything to save him."

"Always the hero, huh?" Lani took a seat beside the genome. Idly, she traced some lines in the red dust. "I bet that's why Mikoto's sick."

"What? Because I'm a hero?"

"No stupid!" Lani snorted. "Because she knows Kuja's gonna die."

Zidane shook his head. "Kuja said he never told her."

"So?" Lani scratched out a crude drawing she'd made of Zidane in the dust. "You said she could read minds and stuff, right? It wouldn't be hard for her to find out."

Why hadn't he thought of that? Dropping his head into his hands, Zidane heaved a sigh. Lani reached over and gave him a reassuring pat. "She's just sick with grief, but... I dunno, you get over things like that after a while. I bet she'll be okay. You can't save her from a broken heart, you know." Lani pulled Zidane roughly into a hug. "You give out advice to everyone. Why don't you learn to take some, Tribal? This wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could do, so stop moping and start helping."

Zidane rested, curled against Lani's side and considered her words. He didn't look forward to the journey back to the Black Mage village. He feared it would seem more like a funeral procession. How would they get Mikoto there in her condition? What if Kuja became exhausted? What if they ran into the Hilgigars again? Then, suddenly, Zidane thought of Garnet. He thought of greeting her at the end of this long road. More than ever, her wanted to hold her in his arms again and feel that peace that she always brought. Just thinking of her smile eased the tension in his neck. He relaxed against Lani just as the sky was starting to turn to dusk. Everything would work itself out, he resolved. Kuja would get what he wanted and Mikoto would be in good company. There would be a happy ending, he thought. There would be. Right?