Chapter One: Unrest

"My feet hurt! Can we stop just for a little bit? pleeease?" Rikku was answered with a stony glare from Auron, his deeply scarred face contorted with annoyance.

The party had recently recovered from the last ordeal at an inn, and most were feeling refreshed.They had not long ago entered the Macalainia Woods, a beautiful forest aglow with twinkling crystal trees and soft flickering butterflies. The delicious silence was an enjoyable respite from the continuous roars and crashes of the thunder plains.Rikku, however, was new to the group and had had little rest at the previous inn. Auron was the oldest and most mysterious of the group, and he had yet to warm up to the new member.

"If the energy you wasted whining was directed at your feet, you wouldn't be so tired." He snapped. Rikku opened her mouth to reply, but received a warning glance from the hulking, lion-like Kimahri and thought better of it. Instead, pouting, she flipped her golden braids and strode defiantly past him.
Up ahead, the young summoner Yuna chuckled. It was nice to hear Auron being defied; maybe this new girl would soften his heart a little.

The exquisitely, if not revealingly dressed Lulu cast a glance of dislike at the obnoxious youth. "Perhaps you would rather have rested alone at the inn in Thunder Plains than come with us."It had been a day since the group had escaped the murderous storm zone and the memory of crashing thunder had a sobering effect on Rikku. The emerald flicker faded in her eyes and she continued to walk in silence.
An unexpected voice came to Rikkus rescue. "Actually," began Yuna, "I was thinking maybe we should rest a little before continuing. I'm sure Sir Seymour won't mind."
She winked at Rikku who smiled back gratefully. In truth, Yuna was all but tired, but felt sorry for Rikku who, after all, had Al Bhed blood and this made her feel as thought they were connected. She also needed time. She was still indecisive over whether she should or shouldn't marry Seymour and she dreaded giving him the answer.

Wakka, a tan, easy-going and wise island dweller, agreed. "It's settled then, ya?"his deep, Bahamian accent was evident. " We do what the lady Yuna says."

Auron sighed and sat under a tree. It was an annoyance, being the guardian of a young summoner. He glared at Rikku who was smirking. Why Yuna had wanted her to be a guardian was beyond him. True her item skills were useful, but her voice was enough to make any monster cower. His eye scanned the other party members as they settled down for a rest, pausing at Tidus. Tidus was around the same age as Yuna, at least in looks. He was 17 with a handsome sweep of blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Young Tidus. He had certainly grown since his journey's beginning, in spirit and mind. He frowned as Tidus began to talk and laugh with Rikku. Her feminine giggles echoed as she went over tales with her friend. Her voice wasn't that bad…really. It was brash and irritating compared to the gentle and reserved summoner Yuna, but then, Yuna was special. He watched as Yuna settled down to talk with Lulu. Her mismatched eyes twinkling.What those eyes had seen and would have to face saddened him. The shadow of an amused smile passed his lips asWakka glanced over at Lulu who returned the favor, causing both to blush and look away. It was obvious what was going on between those two. He sighed to himself, if only life were as simple as it seemed. A passer-by would think they had no worries. Being the most knowledgeable wasn't always a blessing. He closed his eyes.

Authors note: I dont own any of these characters, places or the game FFX or anything else, its all copyrighted to square enix! Dont sue me TT