Chapter 4

I woke up again and I found my head was lying on Tidus back. The water we were in was warmer than it had been near the Baaj temple, but the sun was out so obvious reason. It was actually quite nice here and I wasn't fully aware of Tidus presence. It was relaxing and I was comfy on Tidus back. Tidus then moved slightly I assumed he'd knelt up. He then noticed I was on his back and tried to move his head round to look at what the dead weight was. He then eased me off gently. I didn't notice though as I had my eyes closed. I lay there motionless. At that moment Tidus assumed I was dead.

"Rach?" he called softly, "Lenne?"

I made no move, in my mind though I wanted him to go away. I realised what his assumptions were and still lay there. It would be funny to see his reaction.

"Oh cripes!" I then heard him exclaim, "Lenne can you hear me?" I still made no sign of life. "Oh great what was it you've been taught Tidus?" I could hear him muttering, "Ah yes 15 things then the breathing thing."

He then put his hands in CPR position and then laid them on my chest. Me not realising what he was doing sat up and whacked him impulsively across the face with the back of my hand. He fell back and landed on his ass in the water.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING!" I screamed, I stood up and kicked him, "YOU FREAK, YOU PER-!" I didn't get to say anymore as a Blitzball suddenly hit me on the head.

"Thanks guys!" I shouted sarcastically towards the people on the beach.

"Blitzball!" Tidus smiled happily picking it up.

"Hey you okay?" I heard a ginger haired guy, Wakka shout. I think he was addressing Tidus more than me.

"Hey!" Tidus replied.

He then threw the Blitzball up in the air swam under the water and used the seabed as a push off. He then rolled upside down and kicked the ball towards the shore. I had thought of maybe making him flub up but one, that was mean and two, this was his time to shine.

I could see Wakka staring and going 'Whoa' in amazement as Tidus and I dragged ourselves up to the beach.

"Yo, hiya." Tidus sheepishly greeted all the players of the Besaid Aurochs.

"Besaid Aurochs. How's it going?" I greeted clicking my fingers and then pointed them into a gun formation thing.

"You hearda us?" Wakka asked

"Yeah I'm a big fan."

"A big fan of losers?" Keepa asked astonished.

"Hey you talk like that and you will be losers. Be confident and believe in yourself. You act like a loser people treat you like a loser. You act confident and believe in yourself people will believe in you. You dig?" I replied. I felt like adding the 'you dig' bit just cos it sounded catchy.

Wakka had now turned back to Tidus.

"You wanna try that move one more time?" he asked

Tidus then did a 'yes' move with his fist clenched. Or as I preferred to call it a 'Boo yah' move. Ehe to much watching Kim Possible for me I think.

Finally things were starting to look up. I could practically hear Tidus voice in my head. He then did his fancy Blitzball move again and got a similar reaction to the first time.

"You no amateur." Wakka stated, "Who you play for?"

"The Zanarkand Abes." Tidus grinned smugly

All the Aurochs started whispering. I think one even sniggered at Tidus.

"Is he?" Wakka then asked me.

"Well he er… he is good." I then relaxed and smiled at Tidus

I think Tidus then realised what he'd said and remembered Rikku's warning.

"I meant forget that." He then said casually waving his hands, "We er… got to close to Sin and our heads all foggy like." He then moved closer to me, "Isn't it Lenne." He went through gritted teeth and nudged me banging his hip on to mine.

"No." I then went moving away frowning at him, though not in reply to Tidus question. Then I looked towards the Aurochs. Wakka was standing there his arms folded smiling with one eyebrow raised. "Oh the toxin." I then realised why he'd done it, "Yeah to close to Sin, oh my head." I then rubbed it. Wakka then seemed to feel sorry for me and came over and clapped me on the shoulder. I had to rub it afterward as it had been hard. Still though he'd fallen for my act. Well I was hoping he would, I do, do GCSE Drama after all.

"Sins toxin got to ya." He was now talking to Tidus, "But you're still alive, Praise be to Yevon." They then did that stupid little prayer gesture of theirs.

Bloody annoying Yevon.

Tidus stomach then rumbled. He made an embarrassed noise and I rolled my eyes.

Bottomless pit your stomach or something Tidus? You shoved a whole sitting of… whatever it was on the ship in one go and your still hungry!

Hmm though I suppose it was 1hr and 45 mins ago! 2.45 you must be kidding. I stared at my watch. Time difference I then realised.

"What? You hungry?" Wakka said half laughing half disbelief, "Right then back to the village I'll get you something." He then walked off and Tidus followed.

I sat on the beach and took in the surroundings. I could hear nothing but the gulls, the sea and the Aurochs training in the background. It was restful. I then realised how hot it was. 20 degrees Celsius or more I guessed. This was heat I wasn't used to. Except that heat wave we had about a week before I came to Spira. I could have died after a day. One of the Aurochs, Jessu came and sat beside me. I took my bandana off and let the sea breeze blow through my hair. It wasn't as hot as it could have been though. I suppose living by the sea did help.

"You okay?" he asked me. I just looked at him not clicking for a second, "The toxin." He then said.

"Oh yeah sorry blanked out for a second there. It's nice here."

"It may mot be a big city like Luca or Bevelle, but it's got twice the character." He admitted.

"Big? If you think they're big you should see some places where I come from."

"It's pretty." He then had an awkward pause, "Like you." He mumbled.

"Me?" I said in disbelief. "I'm not pretty."

"It doesn't matter. I mean we've only just met." He then said, "Besides you-."

"Hey Jessu. A tip, always get to know someone before making assumptions about them. I mean where I come from there are girls who are pretty and popular but they were also bitches. There are other girls who might not be pretty but they had beautiful personalities, or if they do have looks they're put down just because they wear different clothes or like different things than the popular girls. Just don't jump to conclusions about someone just because of what they look like. Never judge a book by its cover."

"Hey it's this way!" Wakka then called to Tidus and me and waved for us to follow him.

"Well I'd better go, seems like Mr I Like to eat a lot needs to go and gorge himself." I smiled getting up. "See ya later Jessu."

As I walked off I heard Jessu ask me something. I think it was how I knew his name but I couldn't be sure. I waved to him not turning round though as I followed Tidus and Wakka round the corner to the edge of a cliff. I just stood behind Tidus grinning. Wakka then sidled behind Tidus and gave him a shove. Tidus' surprised 'Whoa' could be heard until he hit the water. Even if I didn't know that was going to happen I wasn't going to be fooled by the same trick again. I turned round held out my hand to Wakka who after a pause took it. I then pulled him towards me as if I was going to dance with him but pulled him so he went behind me. I then let go and he couldn't stop. He fell just as undignified as Tidus had done over the edge. I could hear Tidus raucous laughter as Wakka hit the water.

"He he never underestimate Lenne." I heard him say.

I looked over the edge and grinned at them both.

"Come on then." Tidus called waiting.

"I'm not getting wet again. I prefer the scenic route."

"But you don't know they way!" Wakka called just as my head disappeared from his view.

"She will." I heard Tidus faintly, "Lenne knows a lotta things."

I then went back the way we'd just come and walked past the path to the beach. The Aurochs were still there training. I then looked to my left. I was looking for the cave wondering why you can't see it in X but you can in X2. I soon saw my reason. It was covered in all sorts of overgrowth.

Wakka must have uncovered it when you get to that bit I mused. Anyway I carried on. I soon ran into some coyote fiends. I did a mock yawn. Coyotes were easy I knew that much. Playing as Tidus you could often take them out in one hit. I clenched my fists. I was ready. I cast Haste and Cheer. This would help things. I ran up and gave the coyote a massive clout on the side of the head. It made a sort of whimpering noise.

Over grown dogs.

The other then came up and bit my side. It hurt, but not badly. I had been bitten by a dog before and it didn't hurt much more than that. I threw a grenade at my attacker. The coyote didn't like that obviously. A dagger soon followed hitting the coyote in the torso. It then went into pyreflies. I then charged at the other coyote. I whacked it in the mouth. It bit my wrist at the same time and wouldn't let go. I was being showered in blood from the wound in the coyote's mouth and from the one round my wrist. As I was wearing my stud bracelet. You know those ones that look like dog collars that was also doing damage to the coyote. I then gave a blow to it on the side of the head and it transformed into pyreflies around me. I then wiped my hands together making them clap at the same time and carried on. I encountered a couple more fiends but not many after I'd reached the huge machina thing. I heard Tidus and Wakka fighting in the distance as I reached the promontory. I began to walk but then gravity took over and I ran down the hill. I outstretched my arms as Arkinlae had done in my fic I Can Only Count on Myself. The breeze was welcoming. I ran past Luzzu and Gatta. Calling hi to them on my way down. They looked confused. I kept forgetting not to call people by their names when I didn't know them. I then reached the centre of the village panting.

A few minutes later Wakka and Tidus finally decided to join me.

"Yevon's name look at you ya." Wakka said upon seeing me.

I then realised I was still covered in blood from the fiends attacking.

"Yeah no potions." I confessed

"How you survive? Yevon must like you."

"The fiends round here aren't so hard." I confessed, "Well the coyotes aren't. So Tidus." I looked over at him now not caring I was covered in blood. Some people were staring though. "You accepted Wakka's invite to join the Aurochs then? Crap." I then said slapping myself realising what I'd done. Wakka just made a confused noise. Two of a kind, Wakka and Tidus.

"Hmm yeah I could with playing a bit of blitz after all this. Plus the Aurochs are gonna win! Hey Lenne." Tidus then said changing the subject. "You want Wakka's code? That is if we're gonna be with him for a bit."

"Yeah that'll be cool."

I took a peek at Wakka's sphere grid and keyed in his code. As with Tidus and Rikku's Wakka's yellow light appeared. Rikku's had disappeared though. I suppose she was to far away for the sphere grid to pick up.

"By the way Tidus you don't have to call me Lenne. My name's Rachel." I then said smiling, well evilly I guess, at him. I flicked my hair and then walked towards the temple.

"Some girl eh?" I heard Wakka say. He nudged Tidus, "Fiery spose you like that type. Does that make any difference though?"

I heard what he said and knew what he was getting at. I didn't even want to think about it. I turned round when I was at the top of the steps.

"Oh my God you think…" I pointed at me and Tidus, "Good God no! Thanks Wakka you've ruined my day I'm not having nice pictures in my mind now. Besides I'm 15 for Gods sake! Ewwwww." I then said to myself shuddering.

He is gonna get hurt for saying that.

I tried to crack my knuckles as I went into the temple.

The temple was just as nice as it had been on the beach. Only a lot cooler.

Phew at least someone's turned on the air conditioning.

I actually doubt they had air con but whatever it was cooler but not air con cooler. I lay down on the metal floor, which was cooler than standing up. Well hot air rises. I suppose the Hymn was relaxing too. The voices were beautiful. I started to sing quietly along.

"Ieyui, Nobomenu, Renmiri, Yojuyogo, Hasataekanae Kutamae."

Some people were looking at me I was aware of that, but I didn't care. Chances are I would never see them again. I then heard someone else come in. Tidus after his trip to the crusaders lodge. He looked at me thinking I was mad lying on the ground, then went over to the statue of Braska. I sat up for a second and saw the priest talking to him. Even in the almost silent temple I couldn't hear him.

God those priest guys talk quiet.

The silence was then broken by Tidus' loud voice.

"What's a summoner?"

There were gasps from around the temple.

And I think I'm not subtle by trying to cover up stuff.

"Er we erm… we got…" I was trying to get Tidus out the hole he was digging though I hardly know why. "We got erm… to close yeah we got to close." I then trailed off.

"To Sins toxin." Tidus then finished.

"Er yeah! Yeah that's it." The priest and everyone round us did the prayer gesture.

"By the way T. Summoners are people who summon Aeons and Aeons are Fayth imprisoned in statues."

"You don't seem to be affected." The priest said deciding to help me up.

"She didn't get as close." Tidus said.

"You would have risked your life for her." An old lady cooed, "It's good to see young love has not diminished."

If she wasn't an old lady and if there weren't loads of people watching… I would have to hit the next person who assumed Tidus and me were 'together'. God the sooner he started flirting with Yuna the better.

"We are not together!" I exclaimed, "Come on T we should go and meet Wakka." I went over and dragged Tidus out of the temple door.

We got back to Wakka's house and he offered us beds. Tidus slept on the bed and I slept on the sofa. The house was so cramped. God knows how him, Lulu and Vidina (which I found out means future in Al Bhed.) would all fit in here. We both then heard Wakka talking to the priest.

"Have they come out yet?"

"No and it's been a day already."

Tidus went to sleep then and had one of his weird dreams. I knew he was asleep because I could hear the snoring. I just closed my eyes and dozed. A few minutes later I woke up and decided to go back to the temple.

Enter Yuna time.

"I know what's happened don't worry. Yuna's gone into the cloister of trials and hasn't come out and it's been a day." I began to walk up the steps to the trials

"Whoa whoa whoa. You know way too much for someone who has been to close to Sin. What's your story?" Wakka asked me scrutinisingly, causing me to stop.

"I do not have to answer that." I said smiling. I'd outsmarted Wakka, which I found extremely easy. "Enter Tidus." I then said a few minutes later just before Tidus entered the temple. He sprogged over to Wakka and he explained the situation.

"Your friend here seems to know everything." He then grunted

"Yeah I thought she would." Tidus said, then he suddenly thought of something, "Is it dangerous in there?", Wakka replied with what I knew he would and then Tidus went up to the step where I was waiting.

"But what if something happens what if the summoner dies!"

"The- Hey get back here!" The priest shouted at me as I ran into the trials Tidus on my heels.

AN: nuther chapter done. If you haven't guessed what you're supposed to do now then you may need help.