Kudor sat down on a rock at the southern shore of Lake Wolf, and
watched the young moogles playing. Right now, they were playing some sort
of game which involved catching each other, and the air was filled with
their laughter. <What I wouldn't give to be their age again. So happy,
carefree... Back when my freinds and I would play all these silly little
games that the 'grown-ups' never understood. I told my parents that even if
they didn't understand us little moogles, I would when I was an old
moogle.> Kudor laughed. <I have no idea what these kids are doing, though.>

        "What's so funny, kupo?" called a voice from behind Kudor. "You
finally decide that I was better at these games?"

        Kudor turned around to see Kumata walking toward him. "No, just
thinking about what it would be like to be young again. Besides, I was a
lot better than you were."

        Kumata sat down beside Kudor, looking troubled. "Just keep on
thinking that, Kudor. You know I was better." 

        "What is it, kupo? What's wrong?" asked Kudor. "Did something
happen?"

        "You know what it is, Kudor. The Elder told me you would be
leaving, and said he wanted me to lead Squad Gamma while you were gone."

        "Who better could he pick then? You're already a member of Squad
Gamma, and almost as good as I am."

        "Better, and you know it," Kumata joked, "but I told him that I was
coming with you. He said I could come if you'd take me with you."

        Kudor turned towards his childhood friend, surprised. "Would you
actually want to come with me? Don't you know that we'll be hunting my mad
brother, and might not come back for years, if at all? Do you really want
to travel the world over looking for a single moogle?"

        "Of course. I know you'd never be able to do anything without me.
I'm all that even holds your troops together under your command, you
clueless has-been!"

        Kudor was shocked. He turned towards his friend, and saw that she
was smiling. "I thought you were serious, kupo!"

        She laughed. "Kupo! You should know me better than that. Are you
going to let me come or do I have to kill you?"

        Kudor shoke his head. "If you really want to, I guess. I could use
a freind along. Besides, after me, you're one of the best fighters in
Gamma."

        "Great!" Kumata shouted. "I'm gonna go get my stuff. Oh yeah. those
two guards are going with us.. You know, Kupiku and Kunoro. Also... well,
you aren't going to like this, but.. the Elder is also sending Kulado.
Bye!" With that, she stood up and headed off.

        <Oh great! Kulado. The self-proclaimed 'Greatest Moogle Alive'. I
can understand why the Elder wants to get rid of him, but why with us? And
those two guards? I don't even know who they are. And then there's Kumata.
A great friend, a fantastic fighter, but always too cheerful. She can't
take anything seriously. She even found something to laugh about when the
world was ending.> Kudor stood up and started to walk home. Somehow the
little moogles' laughter wasn't cheering him up anymore.