Chapter 6

The Crusaders

Amahy's POV

The last thing I remembered was someone shouting my name. When I opened my eyes I saw red. At first I thought I was dead, then I realized it was just the red of Auron's coat. He smile like the sea, and I had always loved the sea. I closed my eyes again and I decided for the time being I would let him carry me. Whenever we encountered fiends he would fight with one hand. Every time I was even more amazed at how strong he was. When we stopped to make camp I decided to open my eyes.

"Amahy!"

Everyone gathered around me, but I was only looking for Auron. He was not there though. Kimahri looked at me and then looked up to a ledge. I nodded and after everyone went to sleep I went to see him. He didn't hear me as I came up behind him.

"Yuna told me what you did. How you destroyed the fiend and then practically jumped off the cliff. All to get to me."

He sighed but did not look at me, nor did he speak. But I wouldn't leave. Instead I sat down beside him.

"Thank you Auron." I whispered.

He just nodded. We sat in silence for a while before he finally spoke.

"Why are you here Amahy?"

I smirked.

"You know exactly why. You're a smart man Auron, you shouldn't ask stupid questions." I told him.

He chuckled.

"You always were persistent. Even as a child."

My smirk turned into a smile.

"Much of that comes from you father."

My smile immediately faded.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I looked away from him.

"I'm nothing like Braska. I wouldn't have left my family."

He put his hand on my shoulder.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I know the subject of your father is…..hard on you."

I sighed and looked up at the sky.

"I used to look up to him. I used to think he was invincible. You remember the day he told me. You were chasing me around Bevelle, throwing me up in the air." He smiled. "I remember he came up to me and told me. I started hitting him and telling him I hated him. He looked a broken and I felt bad about it. I never said goodbye to him, only to you and Jecht. You told me he was doing this so I could grow up peacefully. I started crying saying I didn't care about peace, I just wanted my father to stay with Yuna and I. But he went anyway, and I foolishly thought that he would come to his senses and come back. But of course he never did. All he wanted was the glory. Well now he has it, but he doesn't have a daughter anymore." I said.

Auron was a good listener and I could tell him anything.

"Auron?"

"Hm?"

"Braska told me you were a disgraced warrior monk. What does that mean?" I asked him.

He chuckled.

"I refused the hand of the High Priest's daughter."

I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. He laughed softly and I hugged him.

"Thank you Auron."

"For what?" he asked.

I smiled.

"For coming back." I whispered.

He wrapped his arms around me and I smiled even more.

"I tried to stop him you know. From going through with it."

I pulled back to look at him.

"I know you did. And I know I said a lot of things when I was a little girl….and everything I ever said to you…..I meant it." I looked directly into his eye and said, "I still do."

Auron's POV

I remembered what she said to me all those years ago.

I was growing frustrated with her. She was always there, however sneaky she was I still knew. Eventually I grew to enjoy her company. On the day I was to leave I knelt down and smiled.

"I'll come back Amahy. I promise."

She'd thrown her arms around me and refused to let go. I held her and smiled. I was going to miss her.

"I'll be waiting. I love you Auron."

It was no secret I cared for her, but as a sister. But now as I looked at her in the moonlight, I knew I loved her too.

"You should get some rest Amahy. You still need to heal from that fall."

She sighed and nodded. She laid down and went to sleep.

"Sleep well Amahy." I whispered.

Amahy's POV

I woke up early the next morning. Auron was still awake. I sat up and looked at him.

"Didn't you get any rest?" I asked.

He chuckled.

"As much as anyone else." was all he said.

I smirked and shook my head. We woke up the others and got on our way. I didn't regret what I told Auron last night, but he hardly even looked at me during the journey. I felt bad but I knew he needed to know. We traveled down the road without too much trouble, just a few fiends. It wasn't until we came close to Mushroom Rock that we had problems. Crusaders were blocking our way. I walked forward and grabbed him.

"Let us pass or I'll give you an unpleasant experience!" I hissed.

"I have strict orders not to let anyone pass until the operation is over." he said.

I threw him to the ground in frustration. Yeah, I had a really short temper and anger issues. I heard someone coming up behind us and when I turned I clenched my fists. Auron put his hand on my shoulder.

"Easy Amahy." he whispered.

Everyone except for Auron, Kimhari and I bowed.

"Lady Yuna, you seem troubled. Is there anything I can do?"

Yeah you can leave!

Yuna looked at the Crusaders and went over to talk with them.

"Amahy you need to be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you. He's a powerful Maester and he can hurt you. I beg of you not to give him a reason to do so." Auron whispered.

I looked up into his eye and sighed.

"I promise."

He nodded and Seymour came back.

"I have taken care of it. You may proceed to the command center."

"Thank you Maester Seymour." Yuna said.

Most of them bowed. However as Auron and I passed Seymour spoke.

"Sir Auron. It is an honor. I would be most interested to hear about what you've been doing these past years."

"I've got nothing to say about it."

Auron took my arm and pulled me away. I shook him off and looked directly at Seymour.

"You stay away from my sister." I said.

He narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Auron took my hand and I looked at him. He had a pleading look on his face. I took one last look at Seymour and then left.

"Amahy please just stay away from him."

"I want him to stay away from Yuna! I don't like him and he's planning something. I don't care of he's a Maester." I hissed.

Auron stopped and made me look at him.

"This is not a game Amahy! He could kill you and get away with it! I cannot lose you!"

My eyes went wide and he stopped. I was still holding onto his hand, and I wouldn't be letting go now. Neither of us smiled and neither of us looked away. His chocolate brown eye was looking into the emerald ones that belonged to me.

Third Person POV

Yuna and the others were staring at Auron and Amahy. They were looking deeply into each others eyes and not moving an inch. Yuna and Tidus looked at each other and smiled. Tidus winked and Yuna blushed. Yuna was starting to develop strong feelings for him, but she had always been very shy and soft spoken.

"Maybe we should go and let them follow." Yuna whispered.

Everyone else agreed and they left.

Auron's POV

I stared into her beautiful green eyes, and I could not look away. She had me trapped and I wasn't even thinking of complaining. There were so many things I wanted to tell her, do to her…..but I knew I could not have what I wanted. And yet I would not let go of her hand. Her eyes seemed to be searching mine for something, though I could not say for what.

"I always knew you cared." she whispered.

I knew there was no denying it now. But I also knew if I told her she would continue to pursue something she could not have. I did not want to give her false hope.

"We must go." I said.

I started to walk off.

"I still love you." she said.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"I still love you Auron. That will never change not matter how hard you try to pull away. And I know you have deep feelings for me, I can sense it. And I saw it in your eyes! You can never lie with your eyes Auron. So you can walk away from me all you want, it won't change my feelings. You could hurt me and it still won't change how I feel about you! I will suffer any trial and pass any test for you. Even if I have to die…." I held my breath. "to prove my love I will gladly make that sacrifice."

She walked past me and then stopped again.

"I love you Auron. Always and forever." she said.

I was left there alone and I felt horrible. Now that I knew she still loved me…..my mission became all the more difficult.

Amahy's POV

I let a few tears fall but that was it. I had bigger problems to face right now. I caught up to the others and Yuna and Lulu looked at me. I looked away and walked to Kimhari. He looked at me and I hugged him. He put his hand on my back and I hid my face in his arm.

"Kimhari not want to see Amahy sad." he said in his deep voice.

I smiled up at him.

"Thanks Kimhari." I said.

He nodded and Lulu gave me that all knowing look. I saw Auron approach and shook my head. She nodded and we made our way to the command center. We saw Luzu standing on a small cliff. Yuna walked over, I knew she was thinking of trying to change his mind. He wouldn't.

"Wakka….in case something happens to me there is something you should know."

Lulu gasped.

"Luzu don't!" she said.

"I was the one who convinced Chappu to join the Crusaders."

My eyes widened and I slowly looked at Wakka. He had unquestionable anger on his face. He lunged forward and punched Luzu hard in the face. I grabbed him before he could do anymore.

"Wakka stop! It won't bring him back and it won't change anything. The past is the past." I said.

He nodded but he was still angry.

"You knew?" he asked Lulu.

She nodded.

"She hit me too."

"Do you know what you took away from him!? Chappu always said that when we won that Blitz cup he'd come back to Besaid and….and he'd marry Lulu."

I looked at Lulu. She was looking at the ground. I went over and put my arm around her shoulders.

"Chappu also told me," Luzu got up. "Being with your girl is good. But keeping Sin far away from her is better."

Something told me to look at Auron. When I did I found his eyes on me. He sighed and looked away from me. I walked over and took his hand.

"E's hud kuehk du tea uh oui. I'm not going to die on you." I whispered.

He looked at me and I gave him a small smile. I looked at Luzu.

"Don't you die out there."

He chuckled.

"Why? So Wakka can hit me some more?"

"Lots, lots more!" Wakka shouted.

I smirked and shook my head. I walked to the cliff and took a deep breath. I knew many of my people would die today.

"Amahy?"

I looked at Yuna.

"Is everything okay?"

I smiled small and walked over to her. I hugged her tightly.

"No matter what happens you stay with me. If we are to die, we die together." I said.

She hugged me tight and nodded.

"I promise."

We separated and went back to the others.