A/n: First off, I want to start with a dedication. This fic goes out to all the men and woman of any country in any branch of service. Every day they put their lives on the line to protect us. Thanks for all that you do.

Now with that in mind, I apologize for any errors I make that do not coincide with what it really means to be in a war. I am not in the military. (I almost joined the air force after High School though. Got married instead) But, I did do some research. Or at least tried to. So I hope that you will forgive me if anything is not correct, and tell me nicely if it is too far fetched. But keep in mind, I also wanted this to be Spira oriented, not westernized so not everything is going to be the same. Gin

18:25 Day one Sanubia West

"All clear. We are coming back in now." Rikku spoke into the machina in her hand. She was a nineteen-year-old captain of the Al Bhed army. Youngest ever to reach that rank. Of course, as she would say, "It helps when your father is the leader and trained me since before I could walk."

Rikku grew up in the army. Her father being a general who lost his wife after the birth of his daughter. Not knowing how to raise children, he did the best he could with Rikku and her older brother. They would be strong. And so they both learned how to fight. Which at this time was a good thing. For they lived in a war. A war between Zanarkand and the Al Bhed, against Bevelle. All because these two refused to follow Bevelle's corrupt government. Bevelle, refusing to admit that they were wrong in merciless total control, began the war. Not that the people knew that. Bevelle was good at hiding the truth.

The war had been going on for longer then Rikku could remember. Her father told her stories of when he was her age and sneaking into Bevelle camps at night from underground pits and sabotaging plans they had laid out. They stopped soon after she began basic training. They had always been close, but when she soared through the ranks, that closeness turned to simple acknowledges. He was her superior. Simple as that, and as such they treated each other in that manner.

They had to set the example after all. Who would listen to a leader if his own daughter wouldn't? So now Rikku served as Captain of her own troop. They all feared and respected her with much devotion. Right now though, it was just her and her Lieutenant. They were scouting for any possible sign of attack.

As Rikku clipped the machina to her belt, she took one last glance around the desert. No sign of any attacks today. A blond stood waiting for her when she arrived at the bottom of the sand dune. "Anything?" He asked.

"Nope. Not today. That makes me worried, T." Tidus, or as she called him, T, was her closest friend. He was a year older then her, but they had grown up together and trained together. As he gained the level of Lieutenant, she had moved up to Captain. At times it seemed as if he knew her better then she knew herself.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Hey, don't let it bother you. Consider this a good thing. We get to rest for a day." He said in an attempt to cheer her up.

"Heh, I guess you're right." She agreed.

"I'm always right." Tidus teased good-naturally.

"Right, and my father's the leader of the Al Bhed." She smiled.

He removed his arm and scratched his head. "Uh, Rikku. Your father is the leader." He pointed out thinking she was serious.

Rikku rolled her eyes. He was her best friend, but he could sure be dense sometimes. "Just come on. We are due back at camp." She commanded as she grabbed his hand and pulled. She should have followed the first rule of moving through the desert, always check your path before moving no matter what. As they cleared the dune a platoon of Bevelle soldiers ambushed them. There was no time for an anti-strike, so they were left with no way out.

"Take them!" The captain shouted over his men.

Rikku and Tidus found themselves pinned to the sand as weapons and such were removed from their fatigues. As Rikku reached for her transmitter to call for help, she saw Tidus punch the closest guy to him. As the first was thrown back, another came up and using the butt of what she assumed to be a rifle, hit his temple knocking him out.

After making sure both prisoners were cleaned of all weapons, Rikku was drug to a waiting vehicle, as Tidus was carried before being thrown into the back. She gasped as she saw it. They were supposed to be fighting a war because Bevelle outlawed these types of things, and here they were using them for themselves.

"Get inside! Hurry!" She was pushed from behind. The sky had grown dark by the time they had pulled away.

Under the desert night sky lay a lone transceiver. It had fallen out of her pocket during her struggle. Quiet sounds filtered from out of it as the solders drove off. "Rikku, Rikku, Tu oui nayt? Rikku, fryd ec ouin cdydic? Ahh, tyssed." (Rikku, Rikku, Do you read? Rikku, what is your status? Ahh, dammit.)

21:27 Sanubia South

Auron sat in his tent waiting for the last platoon of men to come back. They were late tonight. They should have contacted him by now. Rising up from his seat, he left to go check. He had enough of staring at desert maps anyway. They all looked the same. As he entered the night air, he could hear the engine of a vehicle pulling into camp. They had arrived. Soldiers parted to give him room as he made his way forward.

"General Auron." He could hear whispered as he approached the platoon.

"You are two hours late. What is the meaning of this? You should have reported in." He growled at them.

"We are sorry, sir. But I believe what we have picked up will more then make up for our tardiness." One man was brave enough to respond.

Auron quickly turned his attention to the one who spoke. "Private Wedge, this had better be good. I am in no mood for games."

The first level private nodded before opening the back of the truck and showing the general what they had caught. Even though impressed with what he saw, Auron managed to keep it hidden. "And what am I looking at here?" He questioned. Inside was a blond haired teen aged girl stroking the head of another blond who lay unconscious with his head on her lap.

"Well General, we caught these two just as we were coming back. We thought you would like to try and get some information out of them. We believe she holds the rank of captain."

"Indeed she does." Auron agreed as he checked the bars on her uniform. "Very well. Have her brought to my tent. I will question her there. As for the other, it looks like you got a bit carried away."

"He hit one of our men sir." Wedge explained.

"No matter. Take him to have that wound cleaned up. We don't want them to say we abuse our prisoners." Auron commanded, before he turned and left them to fill his requests.

Rikku listened as they spoke. Though she understood what was said, she wasn't going to risk them knowing that. She heard the order that she was to be brought to the general's tent. Who knew what else he would do to her there. She dared not raise her face until he was gone, not wanting to see the man who would be destroying her life very soon.

As the solders came in to separate them, Rikku leaned over her friend and whispered into his ear. He may not have been able to hear her, but she had to tell him anyway. "Nasaspan, Al Bhed uhmo. Fa femm caa aylr udran cuuh." (Remember, Al Bhed only. We will see each other soon.)

"Come on now. We don't want any trouble out of you, miss." One said as he pulled her to her feet. Rikku acted as if she did not understand what was said, but followed along as she was led out of the vehicle and to the middle of camp. She took in every detail in case she ever got the chance to escape.

21:32 Sanubia South/ Bevelle camp

Auron paced inside his tent waiting for the girl to be brought in. Why did he ever want her brought to him anyway? It was an odd command to give. Especially for him. The man who never wanted anyone to be near him, telling them he wanted her in his tent? Not that any one would ever question his motives. Though it was a common practice for the higher ranked officers to request the company of the captured prisoners. A clearing of a throat brought him out of his thoughts. "Enter!"

The young girl was brought in, head down and eyes closed. Private Wedge stood behind her making sure she would not escape.

"Thank you, Private. That will be all." The solder turned to leave. "Oh yes, I almost forgot. You and your men have guard duty for the next week for failure to report in. You may leave now." He caught the slight smile on his prisoners face as Wedge groaned in protest. So she at least understood Spiran. But could she speak it as well?

Auron moved so he stood directly in front of her. Meanwhile all Rikku could think to herself was, "Act afraid, act afraid."

"Lift your face." He told her sternly. She refused to listen until he brought his hand under her chin to lift it for her. "Now open your eyes." He smiled to himself when she tried to move her face from his grasp. She had sass, he would give her that.

Rikku physically shook as his hand touched her face. They were so warm and large. She could picture him moving them down and closing them around her small neck. He could strangle her faster then she would be able to call for help. With that thought in mind, she didn't need to act afraid, she was afraid.

Sand covered the side of her face where he assumed she had been thrown into the desert floor. Her hair was tangled and he could see grains of sand through out the blond strands acting as if like some kind of glitter. "Open your eyes." He said again. Softer then the first time. "I know you understand."

Rikku did so slowly. She found herself standing in front of a man of about six feet tall wearing all black military fatigues. As her eyes moved up from his black boots up toward his face, she froze when she saw it. He looked to be about thirty with pepper gray streaked hair. But what frightened her more was the horrible scar that ran down the right side of his face making his right eye useless. It was just barely hidden behind a dark pair of shades.

She fell back onto her butt and tried to escape quickly. A scream being stuck in her throat. Quicker then she thought he could move, the general stood in front of the doorway effectively blocking her way of escape.

"Oh ramm." She whispered. (Oh, hell.)

20:16 Sanubia West

"What do you mean you can't find them?" Cid shouted at the subordinate. "Have you even searched the coordinates I gave you?"

"Yes sir, we did. But we didn't find a trace of ether one of them."

"Cid, calm down man. I'm sure we will find them. Just give it time." Another man cut in as he tried to calm him down. You may go now." He spoke to the young man that stood before them.

As the young solder ran out of the room, Cid turned on the other man with him. "Jecht, oui sunuh. Dryd ec so meddma kenm uid drana. Fryd tu oui aqbald sa du tu ev E veht uid cra ryc paah lyikrd?" (Jecht, you moron. That is my little girl out there. What do you expect me to do if I find out she has been caught?)

"Hey, Cid. Speak Spiran. You know I don't understand any of that Al Bhed speak."

Cid paced in front of Jecht, but did not repeat himself. He waited until he was able to contain himself before speaking again. "Send men out again. See if we can't trace the location of her last transmission.

"Now you're speaking my language!" Jecht shouted as he gave the order.

They did not have to wait long when word came back that they found blood residue in the sand. "Looks like they got into a bit of a scuffle." Jecht joked. Cid could only stand in place too shocked to know what to think.

02:00 Day two Sanubia South

Rikku wondered just how long he planned on leaving her to stand here. After they got through the first meeting, the only other words he said to her was, "Stand here, and don't move."

So, here she stood five hours later. Close enough to see the maps on his desk. They were so detailed that should was able to pinpoint the exact location of her home on them. She wondered if that was his plan. Did he want her to give away their location? Well he would have to be disappointed. She wasn't going to do it. She watched as he moved around the tent picking over things and dropping them back to the floor. With a tired sigh, he lay on his cot with his arms behind his bed. He kicked off his boots before closing his one good eye.

Rikku waited until she heard his soft breathing, before forming a plan for escape. She leaned over the desk and rolled up the maps. They would help to have at the base. After all, all the Bevelle bases were marked on it. With them tucked under her arm, she stealthily slipped toward the doorway; only she never made it that far. A hand wrapped around her upper arm, stopping her chance at freedom.

"You go out that door now, and it would only cause trouble." The general's voice rang in her ears.

She squeaked. He was awake? He let go of her arm to see what she would do next. General Auron watched as she sighed and dropped the maps, his maps, to the ground and followed closely behind them. She looked so sad. For the first time in a long time, his heart began to melt. He didn't understand. What was it about this girl that he felt he had to protect her? His eye roamed over her body. There wasn't much to her. The fatigues she wore nixed that idea. And she still had a dirty face of a child. Maybe it was time he allowed her to get cleaned up. He was sure the sand in her hair and on her face couldn't have been very pleasant.

"Stand up." He commanded coldly. She turned at his voice, but still said nothing. He used his hand to motion what he wanted, and Rikku quickly complied.

"Fryd ec ed oui fyhd huf, oui bek?" She muttered as she stood. (What is it you want now, you pig?)

If it hadn't been directed at him, Auron might have laughed, or at least chuckled. Yes, this girl sure had sass. She did not hold back any sarcasm when she spoke to him. "We are going to get you cleaned up. Follow me." He left the tent and stood outside waiting for her.

"Dryd pek uyv. Zicd fru tuac ra drehg ra ec?" Rikku asked herself. Of course there was no one around to answer her question. (That big oaf. Just who does he think he is?) She found him just outside waiting. He nodded at her before indicating she was to follow. Another solder followed along behind them. Weapon ready for any trouble from the prisoner.

They stopped at an oasis about a mile and a half from camp. It was a two-hour hike, but being trained like this since she was little, it was nothing for the female officer. Auron handed her the towels he had snagged before leaving camp. She took them from his hands, but did not move.

"Well?" He questioned when she did not jump in.

Rikku looked at him and then longingly at the water. It did look refreshing, but there was no way in Spira was she going to just jump in and get cleaned up with him and the other man watching.

"Look, you either get in now while it is just us, or you can stay dirty. It's your choice. I'm not turning my back and giving you a chance at escape. You already proved that's what you would do the first chance you had."

So he was testing her when she thought him to be asleep? That jerk! She scowled at him before moving away to strip a little farther from them. She used one towel to cover up with as she removed her fatigues, then removing the undergarments from that. Then using a nearby rock, she hid behind it, and used it for cover as she dropped the towel and slid into the water. It was even more refreshing then she had thought. Rikku took a breath before diving under and scrubbing the sand from her hair.

As she came back up, she noticed that he had moved. The other solder was gone, perhaps dismissed? Rikku was at the disadvantage. Wet and naked, she wouldn't dare try anything now.

Rikku found him by the rock. What was he doing? She tried to splash him from her spot, but the water came nowhere near to him. He just stood there watching her.

"Yht zicd ruf tu oui aqbald sa du kad du so cdivv fedr oui cdyhtehk drana?" She shouted at him. (And just how do you expect me to get to my stuff with you standing there?)

He tilted his head and quirked an eyebrow. Then he held out the towel without saying a word. She noticed that he had closed his eye. "So he has some respect." She thought to herself. Pulling herself from the cool water, Rikku snatched the towel from him and wrapped it around herself.

Auron turned and gazed over the horizon. The early morning sun had started to come up streaking the sky many colors. "Yuna should be here soon."

That sentence broke Rikku from her own thoughts. She had been contemplating ways to hurt him without becoming indecent at the same time. "Yu-na?" She questioned trying the name out.

The general nodded, but said nothing more, only stood like a sentinel watching the landscape. Soon a cloud of dust was seen coming closer. Rikku hid behind her rock to hide herself as it did so. The vehicle that caused the dust stopped approximately ten feet from the oasis.

Auron walked over to meet her. "Thank you for coming on such short notice." Rikku heard him say.

"No problem. I was up and getting ready anyway. So where is she?"

Auron moved aside so Yuna could see a few blond tufts of hair peeking out from behind the rock. He kept his back turned as Yuna approached.

"Hello. I am Yuna. I won't hurt you." She spoke softly in an attempt to coax the younger girl out. "Sir Auron, does she speak Spiran?"

"She has not done so as of yet." He answered still not turning to the woman.

Rikku watched the exchange able to see that they were more then just military colleges. There was a deeper bond between them.

"How fares the male?" Auron asked her.

"He seems fine, his head will heal. I have tried talking to him, but I can't understand a word he says. We are looking for a translator now." Rikku smiled to herself. At least he remembered what they were taught if they were ever captured. Yuna continued. "I wish I could understand him though. He seems like such a nice person."

"Yuna, you keep that up, and one day that soft heart of your is going to get you killed." Auron warned her sternly.

Yuna stood from her spot and marched over to him. "If my soft heart is going to get me killed, then so is your frozen one. If you don't learn to trust people, you will find yourself in over your head."

"You forget you are speaking to a superior officer." Auron reprimanded harshly.

Rikku began to feel bad. This woman didn't deserve that. The two of them stared each other down, waiting for the other to back down. Yuna was the first to do so.

"I make no apologies, Sir Auron. I meant what I said." She said coldly before coming back over to Rikku. "Sorry you had to see that. Here now, let's get you dried off and dressed. I brought you some clothes." It was like a different person talking to her.

Rikku silently obeyed not wanting to risk the anger of either of them. She found that Yuna had brought a set of clean undergarments, along with jeans and a tan tank top. She questioned the choice with her eyes, as if to ask "Why this?"

Yuna leaned closer to whisper. "I pulled them from my own stock. I figured since General Auron has decided to keep an eye on you, you shouldn't be wearing our prisoner's stuff anyway. You will look much nicer in this." She winked as she stood up.

"What was she getting at?" Rikku couldn't help, but wonder.

05:00 Sanubia Southeast

After Rikku was dressed, the trio climbed into the jeep that Yuna had driven. It was much faster then walking back to camp. Auron and Yuna sat in the front as Rikku was stuck in the back. Not that she minded. She wouldn't be able to feel the glare of the general on her back.

"Have you at least found out her name yet?" Yuna asked after a few tense silent moments.

"No, she has said nothing other then Al Bhed." Auron answered. "But I do believe when she does speak, I am being insulted."

"Oui kud dryd nekrd, zylgycc." Rikku quipped from the back. (You got that right, jackass.)

Auron had to stifle a chuckle. He knew for sure that she was able to understand Spiran now. Why else would she speak so quickly in the middle of a conversation? Yuna glanced at him from behind the wheel. General Auron never laughed. Maybe the girl would be good for him after all. She mentally smiled as she devised a plan.

They arrived at camp sooner then expected. "I'm going to go and try and talk to the other one again. If she understands what we are saying, chances are so does he." Yuna said as she left.

"Yuna!" Auron called after her. "Don't let it consume you. Consider that an order from your General." She saluted before heading off. He faced Rikku and reached out to grab hold of her upper arm. She looked ready to pass out. He tried to think of when it could have been since she last slept. His mind quickly came up with an answer. Unless she was sleeping when they caught her, he guessed she had probably not slept in close to fifteen to twenty hours.

Without knowing it, Rikku was thinking the same thing. It had been almost twenty-four though since she had slept. Was this his idea of torture? She had heard of many an enemy using lack of sleep to break POW's. She vaguely heard him say something before pulling her with him. Her feet stumbled in trying to keep up with his pace, but she forced them to work as they were supposed to.

Auron noticed her stumbling, but slowed down just enough so he would not be dragging her along. After all, he still had appearances to keep. If any of his subordinates saw him being gentle with a prisoner, they would have trouble seeing him as they knew him to be. The gruff, no nonsense General.

As they passed a group of solders just waking up, he could hear them hooting and hollering at him.

"That's our General! Show her what the Bevelle army is really like." They cheered to him. One was brave enough to come closer and try his hand at groping the sleepy Al Bhed.

Startled, Rikku moved closer to Auron. Even though she had all kinds of thoughts about him, and what he planned to do to her, she somehow felt safer around him then she did this lower class group.

Auron's hand shot out and snatched the private around the neck. He then lifted him up so he could look him in the eye. "Don't ever touch her again. You want a woman to do things like that with, find your own." He warned before letting go and allowing the man to breath again. "All of you, KP duty, now!" He ordered.

With scared eyes, and sharp nods and salutes, they ran off to fulfill the command. No one messed with the General when he was in a sour mood. Auron glanced down at the young girl at his side. He was squeezing her arm harder then necessary. He loosened slightly and noticed welts on the skin. He had lost his temper again, and it cost an innocent person. But to her credit, she did not make a sound. She stood waiting for him to lead her wherever he was heading.

Back in his tent he pushed her down onto the bed. Panicking, Rikku jumped back up. There was no way she was going to let him take advantage of her! He pushed her back down on the bed, this time with less force. "Sleep." He said before leaving.

Rikku watched him go. That was it? He wanted her to sleep? Well that was fine by her. She lay her head on his pillow and soon drifted off.

05:14 Sanubia West

"Dang it! Doesn't any one around have any idea where they might have gone? I thought this was supposed to be the intelligence of the army!" Cid shouted as he slammed his fist down. He had been up all night looking over maps and trying to make some semblance of sense out of what was in front of him.

"Don't look at me," Jecht said when Cid turned around the room and caught eyes with the man. "That's my son out there too. You think I like being in the dark about them too? Maybe I don't show it like you do, but I'm worried as well."

"Sir, we have just received a report." A technician interrupted. "We believe they may have headed north."

"Well about bloody time!" Jecht shouted through out the room. "I'm ready to go kick some Bevelle butt!"

"Jecht, will you calm down? We still don't know if it is them or not. What have the scouts found?" Cid asked turning his attention away from his friend.

"Hold on, getting a transmission now." He paused as he listened through his headset. "Yes, they have found a Bevelle base. It's located about a days journey north of us. Though I'm not sure if this is the one we want or not, it can't hurt to check it out."

"I agree. Jecht, round up some of your men. We are moving out within the hour." Cid grabbed his cap and waited for Jecht to follow. "I'm going to get a bite to eat. Make sure the men are at the front gate at 07:30."

"Yes, sir!" The room chorused.

06:25 Day two Sanubia South

"Yuna, my name is Yuna." Tidus watched as the pretty brunette in front of him repeated the phrase over and over. He got the idea of what her name was. Why did she insist on saying it over and over? Of course not that he minded all that much. She was beautiful to look at. He wanted to spill, but knew that if he did that, all the training he did would have been for nothing.

"Oui ryja payidevim aoac." He said knowing she would not know what it meant. But at least he could tell her how he felt. Even with his hands tied behind him, he felt she was no threat. (You have beautiful eyes.)

She sighed as she began again. "What is your name?" She waited for him to answer before sighing in impatience. "I know you understand what I am saying. That other girl did." Yuna muttered.

"Other girl?" He thought. "She must mean Rikku!" "Fryd ryja oui tuha du ran?" He snapped quickly. (What have you done to her?)

Yuna jumped back. He suddenly became upset with the topic of his comrade. She would have to remember not to bring her up again. But how would she calm him down this time?

"Frana, frana ec cra? Fryd tet oui tu du ran?" (Where, where is she? What did you do to her?)

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Yuna cried. "I can't help you until we can get someone in who can speak your language." She left the tent in tears.

Tidus leaned back against his cot. Tears stung his own eyes now. He just wanted to protect Rikku. He hadn't meant to upset the woman. He wondered if he would ever get to see her again. Probably not. She probably left to go call the guards. They would come in soon and take him out for threatening her. But, Yuna, she sure was pretty.

The flap of the tent opened again and he lifted his head to her standing in front of him again. He jumped to his feet in surprise. He was about to cheer until another man entered behind her. He was dressed all in black and wore a pair of dark glasses that covered his eyes. Then he realized why he wore those glasses. A scar ran down the right side of his face. So this was the backup she had called? He certainly looked intimidating.

The man sighed as he glanced between the two of them. "I warned you, Yuna."

"I know, sir. I'm sorry." Her shoulders sagged and she seemed to look defeated.

He grunted seeming to accept it. "I will stay with him for now. Tell everyone we leave tomorrow at noon. We can't risk being discovered."

"As you say sir." Yuna saluted as she ran out.

The two men stared at each other. Tidus took in all of his features and uniform. This was no ordinary solder. The stars on his chest indicated he held the rank of...Oh crap. He was a General in the Army. Auron gave a smug grin as he saw the realization on the younger man's face. Tidus backed down and sat on the dirt floor.

Auron waited beyond what would have normally been the expected time to begin asking questions. "Did you hit her?" Was the first.

Tidus snapped his head up so fast; Auron wondered how he didn't get whiplash.

"No I don't suppose you did. I would have seen a bruise." He walked around the tent until he stood behind Tidus. He placed a hand on his shoulder before leaning over. "Besides, if you did. That would mean I would have to kill you." Auron whispered in Tidus' ear before standing straight.

"E's hud clynat. Ev yhodrehk cruimt rybbah du sa, oui fuimt ryja dra fruma Al Bhed/Zanarkand ynso yvdan oui!" Tidus shouted at the man. (I'm not scared. If anything should happen to me, you would have the whole Al Bhed/ Zanarkand army after you!)

"Are you threatening me?" Auron asked. "I warn you, the city of Bevelle deals with prisoner's much more harshly then I do. Pretty soon Yuna will find a translator, and they will understand every word you say."

Tidus gulped. This man was tough. He calmed down enough to quietly ask about Rikku. "Frana ec so lybdyeh?" (Where is my captain?)

Auron stared at him a moment before exiting the tent, thus leaving the question unanswered.

--