Quick oneshot I did. A tiny idea I had. I think it's clear... if not, just email me and I'll explain lol!! Please leave a review.

B l u r s

Hands ball into fists. Nails break skin and blood seeps between fingers.

Zidane turns away from the crowd.

"Why so angry?" he hears her say. "You've seen it all before."

He grinds his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut. He wishes he possesses the power to block out the world. "This is different."

"How?" She sounds angry. "How so? What makes the difference now?"

"Because!"

Why should he explain himself? She should know.

The crowd roars and Zidane wants to scream. It is not fair.

"He is the same as me," he tries to explain.

Surely that is enough?

"No, he isn't," she replies, and then: "You promised me you'd stop thievery for good."

"I have."

"Then why so angry?"

"Because!" He whirls round to confront her. "Because, because!" Quietly: "You could never understand."

His gaze fixes on the crowd beneath his balcony. They bustle round the stand where the noose swings in the breeze. The criminal's face is an expressionless mask.

"It was only a diamond," he tries uselessly.

Behind him Steiner shuffles; a silent protest.

"Law is law, Zidane," she states sombrely. "You should know this better than anyone. He stole a priceless family heirloom from a high security manor, injuring many in the process. It was High Theft. It is a crime punishable by death. This is law."

Law. What is law to someone like him? Zidane shakes his head and despairs. She can never understand.

And he repeats himself anyway. "It was only a diamond…"

She reads his thoughts, it seems. "You could stop it. You have that power now. I would declare the crime void for you."

The criminal is led to the noose and Zidane stares.

He is the same as this man. There is no difference. They are kin.

"And if I did?"

The crowd renew their cheers with vigour.

"I could never marry you."

He looks from the criminal, to her, and back. The world spins. She does not look at him. The crowd roars and Zidane feels his past and future blur.

He looks down at his hands.

They are covered in blood.