Disclaimer: I don't own FFX (I want to though!) but Zaliestia is mine.

I've looked back on my first few chapters that I started years ago and realized how much my writing has improved since I first started… not to mention all of my wonderful spelling mistakes which are laced throughout all of my chapters. Therefore, I will be going through each chapter and fixing it. The first few are getting a total rewrite. Please bear with me throughout this revision, and I hope you enjoy.

The first few chapters are set during Auron's childhood,

Sir Auron, Emphasis on Sir

I glance behind me, my hair blowing around my face, and see that once again, I was being chased. It didn't make sense, and it was something that my nine year old mind could not grasp, what it did know though, was that just ahead, there was someone who could, and would, save me… my brother.

I rounded the bend and my brother came into view, his two friends were pushed into the background, as they were not my goal. "Braska!" I cried out as tears poured down my cheeks.

He stepped forward a frown on his face and enveloped me in a protective embrace, "Zali, what's wrong?"

"Just great Braska, your little sister has to come and ruin our practice." His eyes raked over my tearstained face, "What, did someone insult you—Oh shit Braska, we've got company." My pursuers had finally caught up with me.

Braska released me and gently pushed me behind them, his two friends stepping up beside him. Jecht cracked his fingers and Auron (the one who was being a… a jerk!) calmly swung his sword a few times before dropping into a fighting stance. The boys who were chasing me must have decided that three armed boys would be too much of a hassle, because they turned on their heels and ran like frightened puppies.

To their retreating backs, Braska yelled out, "Leave my sister alone, you heathens!" He did not receive an answer. Satisfied that they had departed, he turned and pulled me into a crushing hug. "Are you alright, Zali?"

I nodded hesitantly, my cheeks still wet with tears. After a moment, I pushed away from him only to have my back collide with someone else. Before I could mumble an apology, warm arms encircled me and I was once again pulled into a hug. A callused finger gently brushed against my cheeks, wiping away the tears. I put up a valiant struggle to break free from his grasp to no avail, and eventually decided that it wasn't worth the effort. If Braska wasn't rushing to my rescue, then I most likely wasn't in any real danger, besides, this felt… good.

Jecht nudged Braska and gave a pointed look in my direction, one that I somehow completely missed. I heard Braska, Auron, and Jecht speaking with each other over my head, but until they addressed me, I didn't pay any attention; after all, it wasn't my business, now was it? "There you go Zali," Braska said, "Auron can be your knight in shining armor! I suppose in this day and age we'd call them 'protectors', but I think Auron would prefer knight, isn't that right, Auron?" He winked mischievously at him.

I looked up suddenly and saw that it was, indeed, Auron who was holding me. Auron let out a groan, muttered something that I couldn't quite make out, then sighed. "Whatever Braska." He playfully grinned down at me and then dropped to one knee, taking my hand in his, "Does the Lady Zaliestia wish to return to her chambers, or would the fair maiden wish to watch her knight train so that he might better protect her when the need arises?"

I grinned impishly at him, "Go play."

The glare he sent in my direction was just short of murderous, and I answered it with a smile of contrived innocence. To be honest, I had expected to be bored with their "play", and was pleasantly disappointed when I found myself drawn up in their sparring matches. I was with great disappointment that I realized one of them called for a break, which I only noticed when Jecht walked up to me and playfully ruffled my hair. The silky black strands fell forward into my eyes and I batted them out of my face while he shot an amused look at me. I sighed as my hair stubbornly refused to stay out of my eyes. My bangs just barely brushed across my cheekbones and in the back it hung slightly past my shoulder blades.

"Having fun there, Zali?" I nodded as I looked up at him, a childish grin plastered across my face. Out of Braska's friends, Jecht had always been my favorite, his teasing was more light-hearted and playful than the cynical remarks Auron would make. Of course, I respected Braska far more than I did Jecht, but that was only because he was my big brother. Mine and mine alone.

When their break was over, I settled back against the cool stone wall as they continued on with their mock sword fights. The warmth of the afternoon sun's rays on my face slowly lulled me into sleep and I soon found myself drifting along on the tides of dreams.

I awoke much later to the odd sensation of being carried. The person held me firmly, but not with enough force to injure me. After the initial shock wore off, my brain began to process just what being carried could entail. I logically came to the conclusion that I was being kidnapped and I panicked, striking out violently at the person. I could have sworn I heard a faint grunt as my arm collided with the person's chest.

"That's not very nice, milady." The voice sounded familiar, but I could not place it other than labeling it as masculine. "Well, seeing as you're awake now, you can walk." I found myself being lowered, then swung around slightly so that my feet landed firmly on the stone floor. I still managed to stumble, and as I did so, an arm slipped around my waist, steadying me.

I spun around quickly about to continue with my "beating" of this person only to stop and squeak, "Auron?" He nodded slightly, the hints of a smirk turning up the corners of his lips. "I didn't realize it was you, I…"

He gently pressed his index finger against my lips and whispered, "That was obvious." The rest of the trip to my room was carried out in awkward silence.

I turned to address him just before I closed the door, "Auron, I… didn't hurt you did I?"

He scoffed, "Of course not, after all, you're just a kid… and a girl." And with that he left, ignoring the bang of the door as I slammed it behind him, why that…

- -

Well, I hope you enjoyed the revised, revised edition of chapter one, I'm not sure when chapter two will be re-revised, but hopefully soon!

-Arcander