The next morning, Zeku woke up early, showered, brushed her teeth, etc, etc. She went out into the hallway to find that she was not the only one who'd awoken early. Their visitors were just getting ready to head back to their... Garden--or whatever. The others, however, were still fast asleep. Go figure--they ended up coming home well after two in the morning--an endeavor that Zee did not desire to meet.
The few of them lingered in the hallway, sitting around and waiting for the others to wake up so they could say their goodbyes. Zeku sat on the carpet, her back against the wall of Tidus's room somewhere on the right. She had her eyes focused somewhere on the carpet, but every now and then, she would sneak up a glance at the others--at Irvine's nervous pacing, Squall's dissatisfied frown, and Zell's melancholy stare. They didn't speak--they only sat there, understanding in each others' actions that today was indeed a very sad day especially for Zell.
Finally, the others awoke, almost right at the same time--they filed their sleepy selves out into the hallway, made breakfast for everyone, then helped the guests pack up what few things they had with them and load them into the Ragnarok.
Now, they all stood by the door, everyone saying their goodbyes--Irvine said he was sad to have to leave his new lady friends and they giggled but condoned the remark, and Squall suggested Paine visit sometime soon so they could really catch up on old training and tips; Zell, on the other hand was fairly quiet, just shaking hands with the lot of them and smiling his goodbyes quietly.
As the others were busy, Zell went to Zee who stood off at the side and smiled. As long as he knew she was alive, something in him would be also. She smiled very weakly at him--still embarrassed from the night before no doubt. Zell glanced at the others, then turned to her and very quietly told her, "The stars will always be there for when the moon's ready to see them." He took another step closer and very gently kissed her on the lips. Once he was done, he smiled at her, but turned around and walked out with the rest of them.
Zeku blinked, cheeks rosy red, when suddenly, tears began to roll down from her eyes. She sniffed broken-heartedly, and wiped her eyes. Why was she crying? Why did she feel like her insides were being mixed around? Nothing made sense. She turned around and ran to her room, locking the door so that no one could bother her or ask her what's wrong.
Zeku dropped herself on her bed and shut her eyes. Everything was moving now--outside the walls she could hear the Ragnarok take off, outside the door the others had broken into their normal chaotic schedule, and inside her head her thoughts were swarming her logic, her senses, until it was all too overwhelming.
Maybe you have, but you just can't remember.
Zee heard Zell's voice. When did he say that? When had she given him the chance to say that?
The stars will always be there for when the moon's ready to see them.
She felt her lips where his had been--she'd felt their startling familiarity as he'd very subtly pressed them into hers, and something had sparked through her mind.
I've always loved you, my belle.
Then. He'd kissed her then too, and not the taste of his lips lingered, and now she sat again in a similar situation, remembering the previous. Remembering. What a word indeed. Suddenly she could remember. She could remember. That spark lit a barrel of TNT and everything exploded in her mind.
Zeku is not her real name. Her name is Lina Heartilly and she's one of the most influential sorceresses in the planet. About a year ago she left Garden, her home and joy, and she left Zell, the love of her life, to save them both from the trouble that followed her. But the consequence was great. And that last night before she'd left, she'd tasted his lips over and over until the pain was embedded in her heart. She left with that pain welled up against her chest and she'd never let it go.
Lina began crying--pouring tears from her eyes as her revelation reminded her of that pain, unleashing its wrath in her spirit and soul.
They're threatening to have your room cleaned out for another student.
No! Lina jumped from her bed, to her feet, and out to the kitchen.