Chapter V

Almost Back Together

Tidus laid there staring at the top of the tent the crusaders were using. He listened as the slumbering Wakka snored loudly in the bed beside his. A lot had happened to him all at once. Zanarkand was destroyed by this Sin creature. He had woken up within cold and watery ruins only to be rescued from a monster that wanted to eat him, if you can call being hit over the head rescued, by people who were called Al Bheds. This was when he met Rikku, the first and only person who seemed to believe him when he said he was from Zanarkand. Unfortunately, that ship ended up attacked by Sin and once more he was thrown around like a ragdoll to some location he knew nothing about; this time however he stumbled across the Besaid Aurochs and ended up on the team in a matter of minutes. That's where he encountered Wakka the friendly blitzball team captain. And then Wakka brought him here, to Besaid village where he met Lulu, possibly the most intimidating woman he's ever met, and Yuna.

"Yuna…" he whispered softly placing his hands behind his head.

Ever since he first laid eyes on her he couldn't stop thinking about her; that kind smile, those piercing multicolored eyes, and the way the sweat glistened off her skin-

'Ack!' He shook his head. 'You're starting to think like a dirty old man!' He cursed himself several times beneath his breath before turning over onto his side.

"Old man…Linnea…" He sighed and stared blankly at the back of Wakka's head.

It had been awhile since he had thought about those two. First Auron brought up Jecht back at Zanarkand and now he found himself wondering if Linnea would believe him if he told her he was one thousand years into the future…a future with no Zanarkand: The City that Never Sleeps, but rather Zanarkand; The Holy Ruins.

'She'd probably smile and ruffle my hair, not giving me a straight answer for several hours before finally saying she believed that I believed I had traveled to the future…' he chuckled at the thought of how diplomatic she'd be about it. At least it was something better than the blunt sarcasm and lack of faith he'd receive from Jecht if he told him.

"They're gone, Tidus, leave it be…" with that he turned onto his stomach and buried his head into the pillow hoping sleep would come swiftly.

*X*X*X*

Lin stared at the slab before her. Several things rushed through her mind. Why did Auron bring Tidus here? Why now? Why Spira? Why…why was the old man Sin?

'…Jecht…' her hand clenched into a fist and she hung her head low. 'How? How can…' she lost her train of thought as anger swelled within her.

"How can I be expected to fight Sin, when I was never able to beat Jecht!?" Letting her rage take hold she swung out her fist, aiming for the slab door. While it flew the slab lifted. Her punch missed the target, and all the pent-up anger, all the force she put behind that 'attack', propelled her forward through the fayth's entrance. She tumbled into the room, crashing against a statue at the far end. "Oww…" she grabbed her throbbing head and rocked back and forth on her arse. Behind her the slow sliding of the door echoed throughout the room. Once it closed, the candlelight dimmed. Looking up at the statue, she grumbled and cursed beneath her breath before standing up. She wobbled and rubbed her temples. "Yeah, yeah. I'll start praying…"

~o~o~o~

He leaned against the wall staring intently at the stone slab. Events of the previous night crept their way into his thoughts.

"Jecht is alive." He watched as her eyes widened in shocked and then joy, it pained him to say what he was going to tell her next.

"Where is he?"She asked looking at him expectantly.

"Lin, Jecht is Sin."

Slowly, the color drained from her skin, the light from her eyes…the breath from her body. She seemed lifeless, just sitting there trying to comprehend what he had just told her. He had reached out to touch her fingers; they were clammy, and cold. Using both hands he tried to warm up the sweaty hand, trying to give life to her fingers once more and not dwelling on the irony of the attempt. Without notice, she pulled her hand from his and laid down on the bed turning her back to him.

For several hours he watched her, assuming she was asleep he stood and walked out to speak with one of the priests of the temple. After almost three hours he returned to find the bed empty and knew instantly she had gone to the Cloister of Trials, to the fayth, on her own.

"Stubborn girl…" he sighed and quickly went after her.

Now he was being forced to wait for her, in fact he had been waiting for almost nine hours now.

Hour ten: he kicked off one wall and went to sit leaning against the opposing wall.

Hour eleven: Auron began to rub his brow and then leaned his head back against the wall staring up at the ceiling.

Hour twelve: he was standing again, but this time close to the door, watching it.

Just as the thirteenth hour passed by, the slab slid up and Lin stumbled out. She stood for a moment before collapsing. Auron quickly caught her and kneeled down holding her close in his arms. Lin laid there a moment before slowly sitting up and staring at him wearily.

"E's...E's cunno..." her eyes were tired, her words soft and choked.

He understood very little Al Bhed, but that was a phrase he knew all too well. Whenever Braska would cause Jecht and him to fret, he would always smile sheepishly and say softly, "E's cunno.": "I'm sorry."

Nodding, he examined her. Checked her bruised, sweat drenched forehead and held her face in his hands to examine her eyes. He gave a slight grin realizing that she must have been extremely tired, for she didn't swat away his hands or pull away blushing. With a swift movement he lifted her into his arms, and gave a soft chuckle when she closed her eyes instantly passing out. Auron carried her out, and was swarmed by nuns and monks, who he dismissed. Looking down at her he moved a strand of hair from her face. He had burdened her with a great deal in such a short time, the least he could do was help carry the load, even if all he was able to really do was carry her.

*X*X*X*

Tidus stood upon the deck of the ship cursing as he thought of his old man. He didn't know why but he's often felt as if Jecht was still around and it only managed to piss him off more. Heaving a heavy sigh he headed to the railing and stared out before he caught Yuna in the corner of his eye. Not even an hour ago he found out that her father was apparently famous as well. 'Maybe she understands what it means to live in the shadow of a famous man…'

"The wind…it's nice…"

Her soft voice broke through his thoughts and he stared ahead and nodded. "Mmhm"

Several moments passed before the two broke out in laughter, the awkwardness settling and disappearing.

"I heard from Wakka…you're a blitzball player from Zanarkand?" The tone she had was inquisitive almost innocent.

"Ah…" he rubbed the back of his neck before chuckling awkwardly. "He told you that did he?" He watched her nod before staring back out. "He doesn't believe me at all."

"I believe you!" She caught him off guard with how earnest she sounded, as if she truly did believe him. "I've heard that there is a grand stadium," she smiled and opened her arms wide as though trying to express the immeasurably size. "It is all lit up and at night the lights dance on the water like pyreflies dance in the dark." Tidus gawked at her, he didn't know what pyreflies were but he could still see the imagery in his head.

"H-how do you know all that?" He was dumbfounded.

"A man named Jecht told me; he was my father's guardian along with-"

"Tch…J-jecht…" his eyes narrowed at the name. "My father's name was Jecht."

"R-really?" She gave him a look of astonishment. "Then perhaps our meeting was a blessing of Yevon."

Tidus shook his head and looked off. "It can't be him…he died ten years ago." He turned his head to her, her eyes held a sympathetic look. "Went out for training and never came back…" his jaw tightened thinking about him, and it took everything he had to stop himself from mentioning the sister he also lost that day.

"But," she turned to stand straight before him. "That's the day Jecht came to Spira, I know because I first met him and Lin ten years and three months ago…several days before my father left."

"L-lin…" the name was soft as it escaped his lips. 'That can't be coincidence…right?' Tidus dwelled on this a minute before shaking his head. "I-it can't be, how would they even get here?"

"You're here…" her eyes were piercing as she gazed at him a small smile on her lips.

He grinned back and was about to respond as the boat shook violently, he was thrown into the railing as Yuna was tossed onto the tipping deck. He couldn't grab her in time but Kimarhi was able to catch her and pulled her close to him.

Off in the distance voices yelled in a horrified choir. "SIN!"

The next few moments passed by quickly. Harpoons went flying through the air one managing to catch Sin, a battle had broken out on the deck on long after this before the harpoon gun could not longer withstand the strain and snapped freeing Sin and causing the boat to lurch forward, this sent Tidus tumbling overboard into the water, but not before smacking his head on one of the posts of the railing as he did.

When all had settled Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri, and Yuna quickly noticed Tidus' absence. This sent Wakka into a state of panic as he looked around before spotting blood on one of the posts; believing it was the teen's he jumped into the water.

He followed the crimson trail and found Tidus being attacked by fiends; disposing of them he revived the boy with one of the few health potions they had left.

Tidus grabbed his stomach, still in pain from the fiends countless assaults, as both he and Wakka began to swim to the surface. Before they could make it very far both felt a sudden shift in water temperature and turned to see a giant Sin spawn floating behind them. Exchanging looks, before both glanced down at Tidus' bleeding wounds, they begrudgingly took on the large fiend. It seemed an eternity fighting the thing before it finally fell; with this Wakka quickly grabbed Tidus and swam to the surface, there he passed the boy to Kimahri who was gripping a pole holding out his hand waiting for them. Barely conscious Tidus is laid down on the deck as Yuna began to tend to his wounds.

Sounds of destruction emanated from Kilika Island, and in the distance Sin could be seen wreaking havoc upon the village.

*X*X*X*

Sitting in a small café Auron shifted slightly in his seat, knowing eyes were on him and Lin. They gazed at him for a legacy he didn't want, and they stared at her for a fate she shouldn't have.

Since arriving in Luca the two had spent most of their time here. Many customers felt the need to bow to them at every chance they got; it had happened so often that Auron would, at times, count how often it would occur in one sitting. The highest he reached was sixty-three before he grew weary of the attention and ushered Lin out of the coffee shop.

Today however, though eyes were on them and muffled whispers spoke their names, it was relatively peaceful with barely any traffic bustling through the café…perhaps due to the Blitzball tournament that was about to begin in a few days. His eye darted from one person to another as he silently surveyed the scene. Lin sat silently staring out the window, dwelling on the news Auron had told her several days ago, but every now and then a child would come over offering good tidings and she'd grin, pat their head, and offer them a prayer.

The two sat in silence, Auron being naturally stoical and she too engrossed in her own thoughts and feelings to speak to him. This silence was soon ended when a Guado slowly approached their table.

"Lady Linnea?"

Lin looked over her eyes narrowing as she examined the Guado man before taking a sip of her cold coffee. "Let me guess, a monk from Guadosalam."

"Ah, yes my lady. How did you know?"

"Only the priests, nuns, monks from Macalania Temple and the temple at Bevelle, and the Guado monks from the inner house of the late Maester Jyscal refer to me still as Linnea. It is only Lin now." Her eyes gazed solemnly at the nearly black liquid in her cup.

"I see, forgive me then." The Guado made an effort to bow deeply and then handed her an envelope. "Maester Seymour requests your company for the tournament."

"Does he?" She took the envelope and looked at the invitation within before her brow furrowed and she looked up at the courier. "How did he know I was in Luca?"

"Word among the priesthood spreads quickly, my lady; particularly since the high priests and Maesters requested knowledge on you and your pilgrimage." The Guado bowed once more, so deeply this time his nose nearly met the table.

Her jaw tightened at the thought and she sighed. "I suppose it's been awhile since I've seen him. Tell him I accept." She and Auron watched as the Guado nodded and took his leave. "They only want to know about my pilgrimage because of what happened ten years ago." Lin made a face and slouched in the chair despising the idea of being so closely watched.

Auron watched her and gave a small dry chuckle. "Not many became Summoners the way you did. To be summoned to the Fayth's chamber by the Fayth itself isn't common."

"How would you know; have you spoken with every Summoner out there?" Her eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Maybe some did occur that way, it just so happened to coincide when they actually decided to step into that damned chamber…"

He made a noise that was a cross between disbelief and amusement before standing and peering down at her. This simple motion indicated it was time to leave, and without much of a fuss Lin did so.

*X*X*X*

A foreboding sensation had gripped Tidus since they had departed Kilika harbor. Maybe it was because so much had happened so quickly.

Tidus had bore witness to a sending; a spectacle that terrified him as much as it entranced him. Later he suddenly became a guardian-in-training or at least a became a candidate for guardianship; and somehow ended up in a heap of trouble with Lulu for being thrown onto the lift and sent down into the Cloister of Trials even though he technically wasn't supposed to be there.

'I suppose the only good thing to come out of the last few hours was finally succeeding in doing the Jecht Shot.' He grimaced a little thinking about it before slightly smirking. 'But Wakka saw me do it…even better Yuna saw me. I wish Lin and had been there. And my old man, if only to see his face when I did it.'

Thinking about it made him hit his head on the post he had leaned against. He winced and rubbed the back of his head before sighing. 'But maybe…they really are alive…'

Tidus stared up at the stars before slowly drifting to sleep.

Yuna was standing staring out at the night sky with Kimahri beside her. Lulu slowly made her way over to the teenage girl and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Did you find anything out about Lin?"

Yuna nodded and gave a small smile. "Yes, a priest told me that Lin had left several days before Sin's attack."

"Then she'll be waiting for us in Luca?" Lulu removed her hand and crossed her arms beneath her chest.

The Summoner nodded and placed her hands behind her back before turning her head to glance briefly in Tidus' direction, a smile on her lips still, she returned her gaze unto the stars.

*X*X*X*

Lin stared up at the sphere as she waited on dock 3 with several of the Maesters' guards. Auron wasn't too fond of the Maesters and requested to be in the crowd instead of being in the V.I.P. booth of the stadium; it was a request Lin couldn't deny him.

She bounced slightly on the balls of her feet before it became too much of an effort in the attire Seymour had sent along with one of his servants.

They were heavy black robes cinched tightly about her waist with a deep crimson sash tied snuggly around that area. It possessed detached sleeves that extended all the way down to the ground. The outfit had a halter top like neck with a hood attached and an open back, which provided the only ventilation and reprieve from the heat.

She was tempted to remove the hood but decided not to when she felt a bead of sweat roll down her temple, if she was going to suffer the heat she rather do so without everyone seeing her sweat like a beast. Letting out a heavy breath, she tried to use one of her sleeves as a fan but to no avail.

Still staring at the sphere she saw an image that took her mind off of the beating sun.

"Tidus!" Her eyes filled with excitement, she almost rushed over to dock 2 when the image of the Maester's ship docking came on the screen and she looked before her. The ship floated slowly into place and she watched as the musicians lined a pathway down and a ramp was lowered. A guard so graciously led her to stand at the end of a red carpet that had been rolled out.

Lin could feel a crowd beginning to form behind her. She watched as a man announced the Maesters, listened as the musicians performed a regal melody. Slowly Maester Seymour, now the new leader of the Guado, descended down the ramp. His eyes looked over Lin briefly before turning and kneeling down, bowing as Maester Mika now walked down. Everyone followed in toe and bowed.

After his speech he asked all to stand and Seymour gave his own speech. Lin honestly barely paid much attention to either one, and was lost in thought when a hand gently grabbed her own. Snapping out of her daze she looked and saw Seymour standing before her however he was looking away from her. Following his gaze she saw him looking at Yuna with those eyes that held the malice and darkness she was secretly afraid of. She bit the inside of her lip as she watched Yuna cast away her eyes, and the urge to go to her echoed in her bones when Seymour held her back and led her to some shade.

"It's good to see you again, Lin…" His hand was placed on the small of her back; she could feel his fingers brush against her faintly perspiring skin.

"And you Maester Seymour." The summoner could feel an embarassed blush blossoming on her cheeks but she bit it back.

"Lin, how many times have I told you? You can call me Seymour." He stated leading her to the balcony overlooking the entire stadium.

"As you wish…" she grinned slightly and chuckled once they got to the V.I.P. area realizing Maester Mika hadn't arrived yet with his entourage. She punched his arm and removed the hood and fanned herself. "You really had to choose a heavy black outfit didn't you?"

"Tromell chose it." He gave a faint smirk and sat down. "You can remove it if you wish; it was only for the ceremony."

"Heh, wish you had informed me of this somehow. Or at least informed the designer…I'm afraid not much can fit beneath this thing."

He continued to smirk and his eyes traced over the contours of her figure. "You can still remove it, if you choose."

"Have you always been this perverse or is it something they teach you at Maester academy?" She rolled her eyes with a small uneasy smirk and turned to watch people fill the stands. She wanted to change the subject and her mind momentarily drifted to where Auron could possibly be. Thinking of her guardian brought back the conversation that they had shared in Kilika and her thoughts shifted to Tidus. All she desired right now was to find him, to hug him, and to plead for forgiveness of leaving him and her mother figure alone; her heart lurched thinking about it. She shook her head trying to think of something else before her eyes absentmindedly focused on a Guado man who was sitting below the balcony. This drew her thoughts to the Guado's late leader. "I'm sorry...about your father."

"Hn…" Seymour remained silent a moment before sighing and closing his eyes. "His time was coming to an end, that's all it was."

She shivered at this, even though she was burning up his tone chilled her to the bone. There was so much hatred and malice in it that a terrifying thought crossed her mind; she began to wonder what exactly happened to Lord Jyscal. Fearing the answer, and what he might be truly capable of she banished the thought from her mind; however it didn't stop her from giving a soft remark.

"Oui syga sa funno cusadesac, Seymour."

He had stood silently and was swiftly behind her. The young Maester towered over her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Oh? And why is that, my Lady Summoner?"

She shivered again and swallowed hard, usually when he'd get so close she'd push him back but now he was a Maester, and who knew how many eyes were on them. Restraining her urge to elbow him, she simply replied. "Palyica E luhcdyhdmo fuhtan fryd clrasac yna vmuydehk ynuiht eh dryd rayt uv ouinc."

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Remember that for when the time comes, little Lin." It was like a shot of ice running through her veins but she held her ground and prevented another tremble.

Gritting her teeth, she felt him release her and sit back down. Slowly she went to her seat and tried to focus on anything but him, though it was in vain.

'What did he mean, when the time comes? What is he planning?'

With her thoughts elsewhere she paid no mind to Mika's arrival or his speech, nor did the tournament grab her interest until an announcer cried out.

"First up are the Al Bhed Pyschs and the Besaid Aurochs!"

Disclaimer: Of course Final Fantasy doesn't belong to me, wish it did and Lin does but that's about it.

Al Bhed spoken: E's cunno = I'm sorry

Oui syga sa funno cusadesac = You make me worry sometimes

Palyica E luhcdyhdmo fuhtan fryd clrasac yna vmuydehk ynuiht eh dryd rayt uv ouinc = Because I constantly wonder what schemes are floating around in that head of yours

Author Note: Sorry about not being on for so long, but such is life I suspect. Hope all who read this are doing well.