Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Boy Next Door ❯ untitled .... for now.... >< ( Prologue )

The Boy Next Door

By: Kami

Disclaimer: Do not own any of the Final Fantasy characters, places, etc. In fact, I don't own much money either… so no point in suing. >.<

Woo hoo! First Final Fantasy fic! *waits for applause…* Please review! Any commentary is much appreciated. =^.^= Also, I know I haven't done too much on my Inu Yasha fics… ^^; sorry. Worst writer's block ever. So I'm doing this to help me get back into the swing of things.

Sorry if the characters are a little OOC. Also, I drew a piccy of Jaz, but my scanner crapped out on me >.< and I have no idea when it will be running again. Until then, use your imagination! Enjoy! Please review!!!!!

Oh! Also, A.N., any writing in { like this } means that the other person is now speaking. Example: Jaz said, "wow what a nice day!" {Zell walks out a door.} Also works for the Laguna dreams.

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"Please show me, Zell."

"Aw, c'mon Jaz! Y'know I can't stand it when you beg."

Pleading hazel eyes quickly broke down the resolve built up in his stormy ones. Of course, she knew she would win. This was a well-rehearsed act; something she had used time and time again and it hadn't failed her yet. Jasmine clutched her hands together in a beseeching manner, gauging his reaction to how much longer he'd hold out. …She didn't have long to wait.

Zell slouched his shoulders, a sign of defeat, before huffing and looking back up at her.

"Tch… Fine."

A second later he was reduced to a mumbling, shocked, and rather pathetic, excuse for a male as she happily giggled and threw her arms around his neck in a hug. Zell's arms were still spread wide and away while he tried to think of something to possibly say or do. But then she saved him the trouble.

"You're the best, Choco!"

Quickly snapping back into a reality check, he remembered that this was only Jaz, the girl that had lived across the street from him in Balamb for years; not some love interest. And to top it off she used that damn pet name. Zell shrugged her off, the action not even denting her attitude. She still was a happy bouncy female. In fact, why was she so happy? He just agreed to show her how to do an Ollie on a T board…

Suddenly a rush of a dust colored fabric was fluttering back and forth in front of his nose, startling him out of his uncommon pensive state.

"Heellloooooo. Earth to Zell? Trying to remember what two plus two is?"

With a glare he grabbed her wrist to stop her from waving her gloved hand in his face.

"That's better. Oh, and the answer is four, by the way."

She winked at him playfully; fully aware she was pushing buttons. What she didn't expect was for Zell to give her one of his huge, blazing smiles. She was stunned momentarily. Which is what he had counted on. Before she could react he pulled her close against his chest and put her in a headlock.

"Don't you do it Zell…"

"Mmmmmmmm, do what?"

"If you do it I'm gonna-"

"Oh, this?"

And before Jaz could even finish her sentence his shrouded knuckles were vigorously rubbing into her scalp. Squirming, trying to pull away, she started to become desperate; even to the point of contemplating biting his arm.

"NOOGIEEEEEEEE!" Zell screeched, grinning demonically.

In her frustration she yelled back, "No SHIT!"

This only got a laugh out of him, and a harder pounding on her head, "Watch your language, don't want you to start sounding like me."

He released her on the final word of that statement, and she smirked at him; they both knew she had an equally foul mouth. But what he didn't know was that Jasmine was also smiling because she had successfully kept him from guessing. She knew she had slipped up back there, hugging him the way she did. But she couldn't help it. Now he had to spend time with her, because he agreed to teach her the trick. She just missed him so much. They never saw each other anymore. After he left for Balamb Garden she just wasn't as important to him. And now he was back; or rather, on his way to Timber. He was only supposed to be passing through, but she wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.

Fingering her dirty blonde hair, trying to calm it after such a savage attack, she tied it back into place and stuck her tongue out at her long time friend. He shook his head at her and turned to go into his house. He had to do this quick while Squall and Selphie were busy buying supplies, otherwise he would probably get in trouble. Squall didn't seem too friendly, and probably wasn't keen on the idea of letting Zell have personal time right before their first mission. Before walking through the threshold he had a realization; his mother. It's not like he didn't want to say `hi', its just that he knew it would be more than just `hi'. About an hour more. And he had maybe fifteen minutes. Jaz, staring at his back, noticed the hesitation and caught on. She had seen Squall and Selphie, though she didn't know who they were. And she was well aware that Zell was now a SeeD. She had watched him leave for, and return from, his exam. And now he was on his way to Timber. So having a talk with his mother was time he couldn't afford.

She lightly fingered the Moomba armlet encircling her right arm while thinking. Enlightened, she tugged on the hem of Zell's jacket. He looked over his shoulder and gazed curiously at her; in return for which he got a mischievous wink. Shrugging, he let her pass him and enter the house. Softly striding through the main room, passing the kitchen, she was hoping Mrs. Dincht wouldn't confront her, but if she did she had an alibi. Silently willing her light gray dress to blend in she reached the stairwell. Luckily, Jaz either went unheard, or Mrs. Dincht wasn't around, because she made it up the stairs and into Zell's room without an incident. Looking around, she noted that it hadn't changed at all.

"It's been awhile…" she whispered to herself.

Here, on the bed, she could see images of herself and Zell, like a mirage, something she wanted to have again. A young Zell hanging over the edge of the bed, upside down and the blood rushing to his head; and next to him, sitting on the floor with her back propped up against the mattress, was a little Jasmine. And they were laughing. Zell, with his face turning purple, and his hair stretching away from his head ("Not much different," she mentally added with a laugh.) was making a rather bizarre spectacle.

Turning to face the punching bag, she could invasion them again. This time Zell was teaching her how to throw a punch. He took her hand in his and formed it into a fist, and while holding her wrist, guided it to the bag in the path she should swing her arm. He let go of her and waited for her to try. She looked down at her balled fingers and concentrated hard. She wanted to be as good as Zell; she wanted to impress him. With all the energy she could muster, she pushed out with her fist and hit the bag. It gently swayed a bit and then returned to its stationary beginning. Looking rather betrayed; she glared at the bag, unwanted tears welling up in her eyes. Zell watched her and became rather frightened. He didn't want her to cry. Turning to him, she could imagine what she said to him. "Please? Please show me how Zell… Please show me."

It was the birth of a traditional quote. And she could see the look on Zell's face. But she hadn't a word to describe it. He then quickly turned away, and then gritted his teeth as he uttered, "Like this."

His fist struck in a passionate blow that send the bag flying away from them… and just as speedily it came rushing back to catch him full in the chest and send him sprawling across the room.

Jaz let a little gasp of laughter escape her lips, caught in the memory. Arms crossed over her chest, lost and wandering in thought, when she felt a gentle hand rest upon her shoulder she nearly died of panic.

Mrs. Dincht, noting her muscles bunching up, decided that speaking may be a good tactic.

"We all miss him, dear."

Jaz felt those words wrap around her throat and constrict her breathing. Did she even know how true those words rang? Now that the shock of being startled had passed, her mind was reeling with this new truth. Zell might be right outside, which Mrs. Dincht didn't know, but her Zell, her Chocobo, was no longer. He left for Garden and never came back.

When the older woman heard Jaz's choking sobs, she turned the girl around and hugged her fiercely in a motherly fashion.

Slightly rocking her back and forth, Zell's mom comforted the sixteen year old as if she was five.

"Shh, it's ok. Everything will be fine."

Jaz's only reply was to nod against the woman's shoulder, enjoying the feel of the warmth and understanding. After a few moments more, they released each other and nodded in mutual respect. There was an unspoken agreement between them; and there always had been. Mrs. Dincht was as much a mother to Jaz as her real one. Suddenly remembering the reason she had come up here in the first place, her eyes searched around until they fell across the T board leaning against the wall. When she noticed that Zell's mom had followed her gaze and was looking at it too.

"Do…do you think Zell would mind?" Jasmine mused, seemingly out-loud to herself.

"You know what, Ms. Jasmine? I don't think he will," she laughed before she continued, "Besides, you'd be helping to keep him out of trouble. Ask him what happened when he used the T board inside Garden next time you see him. If he doesn't tell you, I will. Or maybe even your older sister would know, since she works in the Garden's library."

Jaz just stood there, blinking. Now her curiosity was sparked. While she pondered on what kind of trouble the stupid male could've gotten himself into, Mrs. Dincht had grabbed the nose of the board and handed the device to her. Jaz took it from her with gratitude. Lightly tracing the edges of the intricately decorated T with her fingertips, Jaz said her thanks and goodbye before leaving the way she had come, except with a heavier load.

Zell was waiting outside, sitting on the bench before the weapons shop, sitting in front of her house. She lived right above the shop on the second floor. It had been that way for as long as she was aware, and that's how she liked it. Jumping from his seat quickly, the anxiety coming off him in waves, she recognized how short their time together was. Then came the guilt. She realized how selfish she was being. Here he was, on his first mission, finally a SeeD… and she hadn't even said congratulations.

Abruptly her senses were forced to process Zell's face a mere few inches from hers. His amused blue-gray eyes, the striking tattoo blazed into the left of his face, his perfect grin, framed by perfect lips…

That declared, "The answer is four."

Snapping quite painfully out of her fantasy, she shoved the board into him, so he lost his breath in a rather loud, `oomph'. He curled in upon himself a bit, trying to recover some air while the victorious female glowered at him.

It was to this display that a slightly disgruntled Squall and a rather effervescent Selphie. Stopping right behind Zell, the dark leader raised a quizzical eyebrow at the apparently violent female.

"H...hey Squall," Zell wheezed," this…this is Jasmine."

Still leaning heavily on the T board, he was at least fairing a bit better. He waved a hand leisurely between the two, as a form of introduction. She was considering extending a hand in the hopes of a handshake, when he blatantly cut her off.

"We bought the tickets. The train will be leaving shortly."

Jaz noted how monotone his voice was, and his cold… yet beautiful eyes. There was so much hurt in them. And she turned to greet Selphie, seeing that hers were a brilliant hue of emerald with a slight hint of blue. At the thought she pouted. Everyone had cool eyes but her! She became aware of something else too. Something pink and wet. Selphie was sticking her tongue out at Jaz in a lighthearted manner, something she might have done herself.

"Well, hello to you too," she responded with a laugh.

The girls shook hands and talked a bit, as their species tend to do. By now Zell was fully recovered, and he and Squall stood slightly aghast staring openly at the woman who seemed to blaze through every topic imaginable at unimaginable speeds.

Trying to get a word in edge-wise, and failing miserably, Squall finally resorted to volume, "We have to get going."

It wasn't necessarily loud, but the command and weight was unmistakable and carried easily into the conversation. Nodding in agreement and understanding, Selphie stepped backwards to stand near the commander of their squad, waiting for Zell to join her. Taking the initiative, Jaz stepped forward, punching him lightly on the shoulder in a way of goodbye that wouldn't make him uncomfortable.

"Hey, you owe me," she said in a mock-angry tone.

"For what?!" he gave the attitude right back at her, biffing her softly upside the head.

She frowned and took the T board out of his hand, "You said you'd teach me how to do a trick, and now you're leaving. Plus, I got this from your house for you."

Zell took a single step back and shrugged, "Can't stop the trains from coming. And not even the best boarder in the world could help you with your skills."

She took the slam with a scowl and stuck out her tongue. This was for show though, she wasn't really bad at it, she just didn't have one of her own, and thus wasn't as good as Zell.

"Well that's just because you own a board!"

Realizing he might have been too rough, he casually suggested, "Then keep it `til I get back. Maybe you'll get better then. Not that you could ever surpass me…"

Jaz's eyes lit up in glee. She had his board! His board! Even if it was only for a while… and then a plan immerged.

"That's still not fair though," she whimpered, looking at her sandaled feet, "I'll learn the trick by myself. You owe me a lesson."

Chuckling at her childish show he reached out a hand to muss up her hair again, "Ok then, how about this. When I come back, I will teach you one of the new fighting moves I learn on my first mission. How's that?"

She looked up happily and bopped her agreement.

Before Squall could beat down the question with his jaded reasoning of the less said the better, he wondered aloud, "She fights?"

Zell turned to face him with a proud smile and a slightly puffed chest. Jaz held her hands out as if she were casting a spell, do that he could see her cut-off gloves, the well worn mouse gray palms that matched her dress, she glanced at the black markings on the back of her gloves, they looked similar to Zell's tattoo. Realizing that he had accidentally stumbled onto something that may very well take another few precious minutes away, he simply nodded his acknowledgement. Before another something could happen he turned and headed towards the train station. Selphie and Zell followed faithfully, but when Zell reached the bottom of the stairs that led up to the boarding station, he turned and looked over his shoulder, giving Jaz the `thumbs-up' sign.

She waved and called out as he bounded up the steps to catch up with his companions, "Oh, and Zell? Congrats on making SeeD!"

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Clink

Clank

Clink

Clatter Clatter Clatter

"The answer is four."

She reached down and picked up the armband that had fallen from her nightstand and lovingly placed it back on the hard wood top. The image of Zell so close to her was burned into her mind, the whole thing replaying over and over. She readjusted herself upon the old bed and resumed her staring match with the frozen Moomba. Its single turquoise eye glared placidly back. Absently stroking it running form, she felt the etched muscle definition. Each hair carefully crafted in its mane and tail puff. The power built into its jaw. The sharp points of the claws. Yes, Zell had done quite well when he crafted this for her. She could nearly feel the fiery energy that was poured into its silver form. Zell's aura. She smiled in her thoughts. The kid was so talented. But he was so open, and not to mention loud, when it came to his emotions. But was that so bad? Would it be better to keep everything inside like Squall?

She picked up the bangle, her one time birthday present, and pondered over the question. Falling back against her pillow, she came to a decision. She wanted to be a Moomba.

{ "… Thank you Mr. Know-It-All Zell."

"Hey, no prob!"

Feeling rather pleased with himself for explaining Timber's history to his squad leader, he didn't notice Selphie at first when she staggered into the cabin within the train, apparently sick. After mentioning her nausea to Squall, he mentions that it might be a good idea to get some rest. Shortly after she collapses on the bottom bunk bed, Zell confesses feeling ill too, and then Squall falls prey to the sudden sleepy spell. All three slip into unconsciousness and into the past. }

Restlessly, Jaz swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched as she stood up. She needed something to do. Redoing the bow behind her (A.N.: Think along the lines of an obi) and sliding the armlet back up her right arm, she adjusted herself before wandering past her bed, and then her sister's, which hadn't been occupied in awhile, to seize the T board that was momentarily hers.

Upon exiting the building, she nearly tripped over a familiar little kid that was hopping along the cobblestones.

"Hi B.B.R. Whatcha doin'?" she inquired in a friendly tone.

She was rewarded with a croak from the boy. He promptly sprang at her and landed at her feet. Looking rather amused, she smiled down at the kid, awaiting a proper answer.

Seeing that she hadn't guessed yet, he vocalized his reply, "I've become a frog! See?"

He opened his hand to reveal an unharmed, if slightly baffled, amphibian. This quickly reminded her that he had named himself `Big Bad Rascal', although he was neither big nor bad.

"Hey, you wanna play the fly?"

But he was defiantly a rascal.

The image of either the frog, or the human-turned-frog, trying to get her to stick on their tongues was enough motive for her to decline promptly. After a look that clearly said `your loss', he shook his head and just hopped on by. Watching him continue on, she kicked the board down and jumped onto it, the electric built-in engine starting automatically at being horizontal. She stood there on the floating platform for a bit before heading off to the docks.

Mumbling to herself as air rushed by, "Jeez, is everyone having an identity crisis today or what?"

{ "Sir Laguna was so cool," Selphie voiced her opinion of the dream as if something of this nature transpired every day.

"Hey, there was a Laguna in my dream too," Zell mused, quite beside himself, measuring the vision on the bizarre scale.

This caught Squall's attention. Had they all just experienced the same thing? And if so, how? Turning his head slightly to the side, he considered the situation. After observing that Timber was rapidly approaching, and there was nothing they could hope to solve by brooding about the hallucination, he conferring with the others, and in agreement decided that they would just have to tell Headmaster Cid later. For now, they were to support an anti-government faction. The town infiltrated by Galbadian soldiers, this might very well be a damn good fight. Mentally going through the junctions, he remembered that lamp Headmaster Cid had bestowed them. It had a weird energy shucking off it that made one shiver; another mystery that will have to wait for later. A jolt shuddered through the train as it ground to a halt. Getting readjusted to the sensation of walking on still ground, he sauntered out of the sliding door, trailed by a slightly sun-dazed Zell and an irrepressible Selphie.

An unknown man approached them somewhat cautiously and leaned back against a railing as he offhandedly mentioned, "Oh, the forest of Timber sure has changed!"

Without feeling whatsoever, Squall replied, "But the Owls are still around."

Suddenly the man's expression and attitude changed dramatically, "Welcome to Timber, sir."

The trio was directed to the base of the Owls, an old, worn down railroad car; complete with complementary graffiti. After introductions, Watts, the man that had led them here, explained to Zone that the `Princess' was sleeping.

…

Walking down the hall towards the back of the base, he hated the feeling of running petty errands as his reward for becoming a SeeD. While wandering down the corridor, he tugged at the dark lamp still under his jacket. He felt rather than heard the soft click of something opening on the contrivance. A black swirling mist lanced with an electric violet swirled around him. He wasn't standing in the hallway anymore.

A thunderous voice echoed all around him as a winged creature descended before him, " Who dares disturb my sleep?"

The monstrous GF unfurled its wings from its lithe red and black body as it made pointedly clear that if Squall didn't defeat it, it would raze him.

With an aloof demure, Squall raised his gunblade as he muttered, "This just keeps getting better and better." }

Lurching to her feet after a wipe out on the board, Jaz calmly walked over to pick it up for another go while ignoring the sting of the new scrape on her elbow and shin. She had hesitated. Since the board wasn't linked to the ground, it moved by reading the muscle tremors of the passenger. If you wanted to turn right, you swerved your body to the right, if you wanted to go forward, you leaned slightly forward. And she had stopped responding right before she was going to try and jump over a pail that was left on the pier. So naturally the T stopped responding too.