Whilst writing a small flashback in my story 'A Warriors Return' concerning Auron, Braska and Jecht on their journey so long ago, I thought to myself: "Wouldn't it be cool if there was a whole story dedicated to their journey to Zanarkand?" Hence, here is such a story... retold from Auron's P.O.V.

This story begins the morning after Yuna and her Guardians escape from Bevelle in FFX. You'll probably recall a scene where Yuna & Tidus kiss. Well this story begins that same day, at that campsite, only early in the morning... so before Yuna & Tidus kiss. The first chapter just sets the scene, the actual story will begin in chapter 2, where it will be written mainly from Auron's P.O.V.

Hope you all enjoy :-)

Disclaimer: All things FFX are owned by Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase & Square-Enix

1. A Story Long Forgotten

Auron awoke to the sound of screaming children, running around his tent. A little confused, perhaps simply due to lack of sleep, he arose from his slumber-sack and proceeded to pull on his red overcoat that was so unique to his character now. Pulling the cloth tent opening apart, he soon realised what all the commotion was about.

"Tidus, Rikku… please refrain from such childish games. We're supposed to be guardians…"

Tidus and Rikku had been playing 'tag', keeping themselves occupied whilst they waited for the others to awaken. It seemed that, when put together, the two of them became as little children. Auron detested this, but had often let it aside in order to keep peace. This morning though, things were different. Having only escaped Bevelle the day before, Auron's mind was hardly in the mood for fun and games.

"Fine. We were only playing until you woke up anyways." Rikku replied in a childish, yet arrogant tone.

"Yeh, we were waiting for you to wake up. See, we kinda want to know… what are we gonna do now? We've run away from Bevelle, where next?" Tidus asked.

"Oh, I see. Well, just on through this passing are the Calm Lands. We will need to pass through that area, towards the Gagazet Mountains. That's about all for now. Lets not plan too far ahead, we will likely need to take detours to avoid Yevonites." Auron replied thoughtfully.

"Right, okay. Only, we're all exhausted…" Rikku added, beginning to trail off and mumble towards the end of her statement. She knew Auron wouldn't take kindly to this news.

"Hmph. Alright, we're fairly well hidden from view here. I'd imagine any Bevellian guards passing by wouldn't realise our presence. Besides, perhaps it's a good idea to lay low for a little while. Bevelle would be expecting us to travel on towards Zanarkand swiftly, maybe we should let them believe that." Auron replied in a calm, smooth voice. Afterward, he glanced at Rikku and let a small smile appear from the side of his mouth.

'Was that a smile? From Auron? Wait, did he just agree with me? What's going on here?' Rikku thought suspiciously. She smiled back awkwardly, not really knowing how to react properly.

"Anyway, I'm sure you can relate Auron." Tidus began. "You probably needed to rest here and there with my old man and Braska. I mean, my old man could barely finish a game of Blitzball without collapsing, that is, before he left home. He must have got tired loads of times!"

"Heh, that is true enough boy. Believe you me, for large parts of the journey Braska and Ialmost had to carry the big oaf. Although then again, for the most part, it was his determination to get back home, to you're Zanarkand, that kept him going." Auron replied.

"That must have been some journey. Back when I was a kid, I could barely manage 10 minutes in his company, I have no idea how you and Braska managed…" Tidus stated. "You know, you never really talk about that journey much."

"There are reasons for that, reasons I wish not to converse." Auron replied hesitantly.

"Awwwww! Come on! We've got time here… and the others just woke up! Come on Auron, pleeeeease?" Rikku chirped in. All of a sudden, it seemed as if Auron was being backed into the corner of a small room.

'I suppose, I could relate parts of our journey,' Auron thought inwardly, 'but there are parts that they are not yet ready to hear. I would indeed need to be careful.'

By now Yuna and Wakka had joined Tidus and Rikku. Auron would have done very well to avoid the situation now.

"Awwwww… come on Auron! Pleeeeease?" Rikku reiterated.

"It'd be fun! Hearing stories about my old mans adventures!" Tidus added.

"It would sure give us something to do while we rest Sir Auron!" Yuna quietly pointed out.

"Come on Auron, man! We haven't had a chance to talk like dis in weeks!" Wakka shouted aloud.

"I suppose, they all have a point." Lulu added in her calm, soft voice.

"Come on!" "Pleeeeease?" "It'd be fun!" "Come on man!" "Please?"

"ALRIGHT!" Auron shouted… his head already pounding from the constant pummelling of words into his ears. "Alright…" he said again, this time much softer.

"Cool man. Lets all find a place to sit." Wakka suggested to the group.

'That'll give me time to compose myself at least.' Auron thought to himself. 'Where should I start? Lets see… yes, I suppose that's as good a place as any.'

"So?" Tidus and Rikku shouted in unison.

"Well… it all started back when…" Auron began.

Well, theres the1st chapter :-)

I know not a lot happens here, but the idea of this chapter was to set the scene. To give you an idea of where they are, what's happening around them... and then chapter 2 will send us back through time to the days of Braska's Pilgrimage.

So thanks for reading, and please review to let me know what you think of the idea! Hopefully I can continue with this story... I think it might have potential :-)

Til next time...