Brief Author's Note: Hello readers! I'd just like to, first off, thank you for choosing to read my fic, and second off, tell you about the status of this story. I will update as I progress throughout the game. The first few chapters will probably appear sooner than when I catch up to myself later on. Currently my position in the game is The Henne Mines, but if you want to check it otherwise you can go to my profile and I have my progress updated frequently on there. So, now, you may enjoy the read!

Ξ

It all began the very night when bombs were lighting up the sky and the stars seemed burn out in shame. Upon that fateful night footsteps could be heard, racing through the never ending tunnels of infinite amount as they splattered through puddles and skidded through turns. Panting and out of breath, Lady Ashe was feeling quite weary, and she longed to be able to stop for a few minutes. But, alas! She could not, for there were enemies tracking behind, their many years of training helping them to stay up to boot. Ashe and her few guards slowed a bit as they came up to an intersection, an intersection leading out of the waterway. Just when Ashe thought she was going to easily avoid contact with her followers she saw three figures dart out in front of her. They were just close enough to startle her and her guards off balance. As water splashed from a puddle onto Ashe's shirt, she stopped completely and watched as the three people turned around. One was a young boy with light blonde hair who seemed a little too young to be out with his two companions. Next Ashe saw, could it be? Yes…it was a Viera. A Viera of the Wood, indeed. Ashe had no time to question before the third person, a striking man with a clean look to him and eyes that seemed to capture her own for the briefest of seconds, stepped forward.

"Ah, more people avoiding confrontation with the law." His voice was liquid silk from his tongue.

Ashe was quick to remark though, "Avoiding confrontation yes, but I am not as low as a trio of pirates. I suspect you three have just robbed the royal palace, have you not?"

"Indeed we did." The pirate lifted his gaze and looked into the darkness behind the lady. "It seems your friends have caught up."

Ashe quickly turned around and, gripping her sword's handle, she saw as five Imperials appeared.

The Viera quickly pulled out her bow and shot an arrow directed at one of the Imperials. The younger pirate was upon the enemies quickly with his sword. The other pirate smirked confidently and fluently aimed his gun and fired a bullet. As Ashe fought she kept waiting to feel a bullet go through her back. She expected that as soon as the battle with the Imperials was finished the trio of pirates would presume as to attack her. And so, in her quick-to-infer mind, she was paranoid that the one pirate who had spoken would go ahead and kill her in the process of the battle. When finally the last Imperial fell to the ground, Ashe turned around in a flash, her sword at hand, and faced the pirates. Her guards, following her lead, also made ready to defend. The pirates lowered their weapons and simply looked at Ashe.

"Oh yes, go on and kill us after we just saved your life." The older pirate commented.

"Perhaps you only saved me so that you may kill me yourself." Ashe's voice was thick with suspicion as her eyes glared intently at the pirates.

The pirate stepped closer. "Under all means necessary, we wish not to harm you."

Ξ

Now, miles away from the waterway of Rabanastre, Ashe stood on the edge of a desert. She had joined a party of unlikely people, but she had found that they were all capable of defending themselves. They were on their way to Raithwall's Tomb, where they hoped to obtain the Dawn Shard.

Basch, whom Ashe was still learning to trust, stepped forward, "Well, let us be on our way. We'll never get there by gazing at the desert."

With Basch in the lead, Vaan, Penelo, and Fran all followed closely behind him. Ashe found that, as she walked past Balthier, he turned and walked in step with her. She turned her gaze to him questioningly. He answered the gaze.

"This nethicite…how much is its worth?"

Ashe stifled a sigh, for she should've have known that Balthier would be thinking of riches, "I'm afraid it's not available to sell. Its value is of use to us, and so we shall use it."

"You know not how to wield this nethicite, Princess."

Ashe looked into Balthier's overly cocky eyes with the intent of glaring. Yet, as she focused on his eyes, she could see them soften fondly, strangely…without knowing it their pace slowed to a halt as they simply gazed at eachother. Balthier slowly raised his hand towards Ashe's cheek, his gaze never faltering, and he would've easily captured Ashe then and there should he not have been interrupted quirkily.

"Balthier!" It was the high pitched call of Fran that summoned him now. With cat like reflexes his hand was at his side before Fran had completely turned around, and she would never suspect a thing. Ashe uncomfortably became self conscious and turned away, swiftly walking towards the rest of the party. Balthier let out his breath and walked to Fran.

"Any particular reason you were alone with Ashe?" She asked suspiciously.

Balthier guiltily realized that his partner had probably seen his hand's position, despite the effort he put into hiding it. "Just asking about that nethicite, it's worth a lot and we both know it."

"Was this the only subject you asked about?"

With another famous grin, Balthier replied, "Of course Fran, dear."

As Balthier strode ahead to rejoin the party Fran contemplated what was going on in his head. She felt no jealousy for his arising feelings for another; on the contrary, she was worried for him. Everyone was destined to be with someone, but suppose his someone was Lady Ashe? He would never obtain such a lady, and if he should for any amount of time, it was inevitable that his heart would eventually be hurt. With a sorrowful sigh for her partner, she turned and followed the party, which was slowly getting farther and farther away from her.

That night they group made camp in a secluded patch that the creatures of the desert seemed content not to forage upon. After the fire was made everyone slowly drifted away a bit, to find a comfortable place to rest. Vaan and Penelo both walked a little north west of the flames and lay down together for warmth. Fran just walked away a bit and lay down to the east, and Basch, who seemed to be needed some warmth slowly went over and lay down next to her, though nothing intimate would ever be suggested of his selection of where to rest, it was quite obvious that he found it inappropriate to approach the princess, and very awkward to approach Balthier, so his only option left was the Viera. Balthier noticed this as well and slowly lowered himself onto the ground where he was and turned over. Ashe realized it was either lay beside him for warmth or sleep where she was and freeze. She also knew that Balthier was smart enough to know that sleeping solitary would surely bring him his death, and so it suggested that he expected her to come to him. Ashe didn't want to satisfy the pirate's smartness, but she would just have to put up with it. She slowly walked over to his back and lay down beside him, her back against his own. Immediately the warmth of him surrounded her and she relaxed as her heavy eyelids drooped closed. She suddenly felt safe and serene. Balthier could feel Ashe's body against his own. He let out a deep sigh and slowly let his eyes close. He slowly wondered what it was that made him enjoy Ashe's company. He always felt something different when he was around her. The moon and stars would never forget the beauty of the two people below them, their ignorance to be their own undoing.