The group travelled a bit lighter that day, relieved to see Auron and Moira back to themselves. There were several battles that presented themselves and Moira took out her leftover frustration on anything that came close. Tidus commented that her skills had grown and soon she would be as great as Auron. She blushed but denied any claim to that particular title.

"There's only one Auron," she said without thinking. Tidus read her meaning as much more than she intended and laughing looked at the swordsman, saying

"I guess that makes you, the one!" Auron glared at the boy and walked away. Moira blushed to her feet. She had only meant that she would never gain the same skills as he had.

"That's not what I meant," she said to Tidus, but it was too late; the statement was taken as a confirmation of what each felt for the other.

After almost a full day of walking, the temple loomed ahead suddenly. It was a huge imposing structure connected the mainland by an impossibly long suspension bridge. Rikku, with a quick look back at the others ran across the bridge, giggling as only an invincible teenager can when faced with a challenge. The rest, with the exception of Auron and Moira made their way across in a more mature, sedate manner. Auron took a few steps towards the bridge, now focused on the task at hand but before he could set one foot on the path, he heard a small noise behind him. He turned around to see Moira staring over the edge of the chasm. She turned her now terrified eyes to Auron then took a few large steps back from the bridge. Auron sighed and fastened his sword to his back. He removed his bare arm from the makeshift sling that his greatcoat afforded and took the empty sleeve in his hand. He walked slowly towards Moira and taking her hand, he thrust the empty sleeve in her hand to serve as a lifeline. He looked into her eyes and said calmly yet firmly,

"Let's go."

He then turned to walk across the bridge but it only took a moment to realize that Moira still had not moved. He looked back at the terrified girl who was standing staring at the material in her hand. He let out another large sigh and ran his hands through his hair, at a total loss as to what to do about the girl.

"What's wrong now?" he asked, trying to hold his temper. Despite his feelings for the girl, he still was not a patient man when it came to weakness.

"I can't do it," she squeaked.

"Yes, you can do it, Moira," Auron said in his firmest, I'm the boss voice. "Just put one foot in front of the other and move!"

"I...I can't...Auron..."she whispered looking at his face, pleading. There were dangerous clouds forming in his eye and she knew the solution she had in mind would place her on very thin ice. "What happens if it tears?"

"It won't."

"It might!" she said with a little of her normal fire. "Look how old it is!"

"It. Won't. Tear," Auron said through clenched teeth. He looked across the bridge and saw that the others had already reached the other side and had settled themselves to rest and wait for them. He turned back to Moira, his insight into her mind giving him a little more patience than normal and asked,

"What will allow you to cross this bridge?"

"Carry me?" Moira asked meekly.

"No."

Moira flared up again, "What do you mean, no?!"

"There isn't enough room. The bridge is too narrow, your feet would get tangled in the ropes and we'd both fall over."

"You could put me over your shoulder," Moira offered.

"You want to look down the whole way?"

"Good point. Umm well, would you hold my hand at least?" Moira inwardly cringed at her own weakness. She waited in silence for his refusal, but Auron sighed and grabbed her hand and started to walk across. Moira lost herself for a moment in the sensual softness of the leather glove and used it as a distraction until they reached the other side. He mind went back to her mid spell fantasy and she could almost feel the soft leather brush against her bare thigh. She sighed audibly and for a moment Auron stopped and looked at her. She was a picture, her eyes closed, long lashes brushing her cheeks which had a slight flush which only served to bring a glow to her pale skin. Her lips, which he realized were of a very pleasing fullness were parted, begging to be kissed. He did consider it for a brief moment but thought better of it. Somehow shocking Moira over a bottomless pit was not the best idea he'd ever had. He'd have to postpone that pleasure; he just didn't know for how long. They were only halfway across and Moira upon opening her eyes saw where they were, and gasped, gripping his hand tighter. Auron had to admit that the pressure of the girl's hand felt good, felt right. He continued along the bridge not stopping again. The group that was waiting was a ways off from the end of the bridge so Auron was able to get Moira off the bridge and release her without any of them guessing at the intimate contact it took to get her there. She thanked him quietly and he stared into her eyes for a moment before turning towards the temple. She sighed and followed him, wondering if there would ever come the day when his gaze would not cause her to lose her breath; she hoped not.

The doors to the temple were huge, impossibly large and Moira wondered how, even with eight people they would ever gain entrance. But that it would turn out would be the easy part. Yuna simply walked up to the door and tapped on it with her staff. The door glowed blue for a moment, then swung open by itself. The party entered the temple which was the most impressive structure Moira had ever seen. Everyone except Kimahri, Auron and Moira made an elaborate bow in front of a large statue of a man. Moira looked at Auron for some explanation.

"Lord Braska," he said quietly. "There's one in every temple in Spira." She nodded and was a little sad for Yuna having to share the memory of her father with all of Spira.

The rest of the room was filled with other statues, arranged in a circle. At the top of the circle there was a red door, closed. It looked as if it had never been opened. Suddenly the figure of a woman appeared in the center of the room. Moira was sure of it, she had simply appeared out of thin air. More magic, she thought. The woman surveyed the group, her eyes stopping at Auron, seeming to study him closely for a moment as if she recognized him from somewhere, then she turned her gaze to Yuna.

"I am not surprised to see you here, daughter of Braska," she said with a silken voice that echoed softly in the chamber.

"I am here for the Magus Sisters. I seek their assistance in defeating Sin," Yuna replied, trying not to allow her fear enter her voice.

"The Sisters are difficult to handle."

"I will take care of that when the time comes," Yuna said.

"Will you battle me for them?" the strange woman asked.

"Yes."

"Very well. Here are my conditions. I have within my power all the Aeons in Spira but I will only call upon those you have in your possession. I will decide when the battle is over. Are we agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Very well, then let us begin." The woman raised her arms high and called out one word, "Valefor!" Moira watched in amazement as the stranger was surrounded by a rainbow of lights that emanated from the ground around her. The lights rose up into a single beam that penetrated the ceiling. Suddenly a screaming roar was heard and a huge flying creature came shooting down from the high ceiling. Its wingspan was twenty feet across she was sure of it and it was covered in sharp plumage of red and blue. Its beak was covered with a piece of armour that glinted in the light. It had razor sharp claws and a fire in its eyes. Moira gulped and reached out blindly for some support, she found it in Auron's left arm. He turned to look at her and chuckled softly.

"This is a battle between Aeons. We are in no danger," he whispered. Moira loosened her grip and released him, thinking she had made him uncomfortable but was shocked when he reached out and grabbed her hand. As they watched the battle unfold he absently rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. No one saw this new intimate contact.

As the stranger's Aeon became still, Yuna called out a name,

"Shiva!" and immediately her staff began to glow with icy crystals and Moira shivered as the temple's temperature chilled noticeably. As Yuna raised her arms and staff, three huge chunks of ice formed behind her and crashed to the ground, forming a strange frozen triscal. Moira gasped as a ghostly silhouette floated down from the ceiling and settled behind the huge shards of ice. The figure gained substance and Moira could see it was a beautiful woman, blue in colour with a silver cloak around her shoulders. The woman, Shiva, reached across and threw her cloak off with a flourish, smashing the ice blocks in the process. Moira instinctively ducked as a huge shard came right towards her and Auron, but it disappeared long before it could hit them. Shiva was now standing beside Yuna and at a glance from the summoner took a step forward and into a defensive position. Without warning, Valefor took flight and brought his claws down on Shiva's shoulders. She didn't seem to be damaged and with a simple wave of her hands, she sent large shards of ice flying back at the beast. They penetrated its tough hide and Moira saw it falter in its flight for a moment. It regained the air and once again came diving down at Shiva, claws out. But this time, Shiva dodged the attack easily and returned fire with another barrage of ice. This was the flow of the battle for several minutes, an almost polite back and forth show of skills. One of Valefor's attacks did cause Shiva some severe damage but Yuna said softly 'blizzaga' and the Aeon surrounded herself with a powerful ice spell. But rather than harm her, it made her stronger. She stood tall again and glanced over at Yuna again. Yuna nodded and whispered, "Diamond dust." Moira could have sworn the Aeon smiled as she floated above the ground and began to twirl around, her blue hair flying out behind her in her dervish. She then stopped turning and faced Valefor, stretching her hands out in front of her, sending wave after wave of ice crystals at the flying monster. It didn't seem to Moira that it was having much effect but then as she watched she noticed Valefor was having more and more difficulty flapping his wings and eventually they stopped all together. Valefor was suspended in mid air, frozen like a block of ice, but Moira could see the fire in its eye still. Shiva stopped the wave of crystals and paused for a moment, seemingly surveying her success, then, raising one hand she simply snapped her fingers. The sharp sound echoed throughout the chamber and suddenly the ice surrounding Valefor cracked and exploded. The creature was hit hundreds of time by the flying shards, in every direction. Moira gasped as she watched the creature torn to shreds by the ice and Auron hearing her cry gently squeezed her hand. She looked over at him but he was almost unaware of her presence, he was fixated on the battle. There was nothing Valefor could do to respond to this attack, it was too damaged and with a sad look at its mistress, it collapsed on the ground and disappeared in a shimmer of light.

"Stop. That is enough," the woman said quietly. "I concede defeat, Daughter of Braska. You have certainly bonded well with that Aeon."

"Thank you," Yuna said quietly. To tell the truth she was amazed at Shiva's performance and with a grateful smile at the Aeon she quietly said, "Thank you my friend. I will call on you again soon." Shiva nodded and disappeared.

"The Sisters are yours to control. The chamber of the fayth is open for you. But before you go, please perform one more task for me."

"What is it you wish?" Yuna asked.

"Send me."

"Send you? Are you an unsent?" Yuna asked with concern.

"Yes I am, and I have stayed behind long enough," the woman said calmly. "You will be the last summoner to gain the power of the Sisters. You will be the last summoner who will need them, High Summoner Yuna."

"I have not earned that title yet," Yuna said dignified.

"It won't be long. Please Daughter of Braska, perform the sending. I grow weary of this world."

"Very well," Yuna said taking a few steps forward. Auron grunted and dropped Moira's hand like it was fire and left the chamber, his footsteps echoing throughout the room. Moira was torn, she wanted to run after him, to find out what had happened but she was also fascinated by the scene in front of her. Yuna, well there was no other word for it, Yuna began to dance. Twirling and raising her staff in rhythm with a strange lilting song. The song started out of nowhere and Moira was fascinated by its sadness and hope. As she watched Yuna working her magic she was horrified to see the strange woman surrounded by pyreflies that seemed to come from within her. The cloud grew more dense and with a whispered 'thank you' the strange woman disappeared into the cloud of pyreflies never to be seen again. Moira screamed and ran out of the temple and ran headlong into Auron. She was sobbing in her terror, she had seen something like that before, in her vision of Auron disappearing, but she still didn't make the connection between what she had seen and what Auron was. He tried to hold her, to calm her down. Watching the tears stream down her face, Auron's heart broke knowing there was nothing he could do to save her from the inevitable. She broke free of his grip and ran headlong across the bridge, her desperate footfalls thundering across the planks. Auron ran after her, praying with all his might to Yevon that the bridge would hold up to her attack. Moira reached the other side and kept running, back into the plains. Auron was close behind her and caught up with her just as she was about to enter a grove of trees. He steered her into the grove to shield her from the eyes of the others should they be following. She collapsed on the ground and sobbed.

"What happened to her?"

"She was Sent," Auron replied.

"Sent? Sent where?" Moira asked turning her tear filled eyes to the swordsman.

"To the Farplane. The place where all people go once they have died."

"But she didn't die! How is that even possible?"

"She had died years ago."

"What? Auron, you aren't making any sense! How could she have died years ago? We were talking to her just a few moments ago!"

"Moira," Auron said, feeling a small thrill at speaking her name aloud, "sometimes in Spira if someone dies and they still have tasks to perform, they can retain their physical form. They can remain among the living for years and years."

"I don't understand," Moira said wiping away fresh tears.

"They still have work to do. When the time comes and that work is finished they choose to travel to the Farplane."

"But I thought...Rikku said that spirits that don't get "sent" become fiends," Moira said.

"Sometimes that happens," Auron said kneeling down beside her. "But other times the spirit is so strong and their sense of duty is so powerful that they become an Unsent. That woman we saw was an Unsent."

"Unsent? Are they dangerous?"

"Not all of them, it depends on the motivation behind their remaining among the living," he said gently wiping away a tear. She shuddered at his touch and closed her eyes for a moment. He gazed at her again, the same look was on her face that she had on the bridge. He couldn't stop himself this time, and slowly leaned towards her and with the gentlest pressure her brushed her parted lips with his own. Her eyes flew open and a gasp escaped her lips. Auron backed off just as slowly as he moved it and looked into Moira's eyes. She stared back at him, unsure what to do. He had kissed her with such gentle passion that she felt quite unglued. Her breathing became a little ragged and before she had thought it through she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her head against his chest. She began to cry again, but this time from joy. He wanted her! He actually desired her, it wasn't in her head! She looked back up at him, and witnessed him trying to wrestle with his feelings. He wanted to be as gentle as possible with her in this fragile state but when she wrapped her arms around him a part of his mind screamed out to throw her to the ground and take his pleasure off her. Moira watched this battle of wills cross his face and made her boldest move to date. Rising up on her knees, she softly kissed his forehead, his scarred eye, and his cheeks and then after what seemed like an eternity she softly kissed his lips. His hunger for her took over and he kissed her back, a little forcefully. She sighed his name against his lips, making it more difficult for him to control himself, and she then snaked one of her hands around his head and tangled her fingers in his hair. She breathed his scent in and gazed off behind him, her hands stroking their way through his thick dark hair and across the broad expanse of his strong back. She marvelled at the feel of his muscles tensing and relaxing as he continued his explorations. She was surprised that he had not immediately pounced on her breasts as so many others had done, giving her only one or two mandatory kisses before devouring her ample flesh and going further, all too quickly. But Auron seemed content to explore her body slowly, taking time to ensure she was comfortable and enjoying herself. He stopped his touch with a final swipe of his tongue along her earlobe and looked at her. She had stopped crying and she was quite out of breath.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

"Auron...I...yes...please," she whispered unable to put into words what she wanted. He didn't respond, just wrapped his arms around her and held her for a few moments, every now and then placing a chaste kiss on the top of her head. She felt safe in his arms, for the first time since coming into Spira she felt completely safe. He didn't make any other amorous advances on her because he felt himself losing control of the situation. His decision to stop their encounter was sealed when the bushes across from them parted and Rikku's smiling face peered through. The scene seemed innocent enough, she had missed the couple's brief display of passion, but she still widened her spiral eyes at the sight of the gruff swordsman rocking the frightened girl in his arms. She coughed a little by way of introduction and said,

"There you are! Come on you two, Yunie's gonna call forth the Sisters!" With a last look at Auron, a mixed look of jealousy and understanding, she left them and disappeared again. Auron looked down at Moira and ran his surprisingly gentle hands down her arms.

"Are you alright now?" he whispered.

"I think so, Auron," she sighed. Then realizing what position she had put him in she gasped and began to apologize. "Oh god! What have I done? I am so sorry Auron, I don't know what came over me!" tears began to gather in her eyes again. Auron only sighed softly and brushed back a stray strand of her hair.

"You have done nothing wrong, and you have nothing to apologize for. What just happened was natural and I hope you are not ashamed," he said looking a little scared of her reply.

"No, I'm not ashamed. I just thought that...well what Rikku must have seen would cause you embarrassment." Auron laughed softly and kissed her forehead in a very comforting way.

"Never," was all he said. Taking her hand, he raised her up and the two silently left the grove.

Moira could feel the eyes of the group on them as they emerged from their hiding spot and for a moment she felt a hot streak of shame, but it soon disappeared as she realized their looks were concern alone, nothing wicked in them. She joined the group and they all gathered in a semi circle around Yuna who raised her arms into the air and called out, "Magus Sisters, come to me!" Suddenly overhead, three sparks of light were seen flying towards the summoner; one blue, one red and one yellow. They circled around Yuna and transformed into glowing seeds which settled themselves into the ground and with a wave of Yuna's staff over each one, they transformed into three large flowers. From each flower an Aeon sprang forth and Moira was surprised to see they once again took a more human like form. Each woman seemed to be part bug and part human, the tallest was a red mantis, the middle a rather rotund ladybug and the youngest who was much smaller than her sisters, yet still larger than any of the party, was a hornet. They stood around Yuna who smiled at each and asked for their protection. Each Sister nodded in return and upon seeing no immediate danger disappeared.

"I guess that's what you meant by obstinate, Sir Auron," Yuna said laughing.

"Something like it," Auron said.

As it was growing late, the party decided that it was a good time to make camp and after setting up the tents they all collapsed in a heap around a fire that Moira had successfully started. It wasn't as easy to conjure up anger this time, considering she couldn't get Auron out of her mind, but she used her small anger at being interrupted to create a pleasing flame. Just in case, she noticed with a wry smile, everyone gave her a wide berth when she began to cast the spell. They praised her efforts and settled down for their meal. They all ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. A sending was a sad occasion, even if the person sent had been dead for years, and then there was the effect of Moira running from the temple screaming. Rikku had quietly told Yuna and Lulu the scene she had interrupted and the two women had only nodded and remarked how it was about time. As everyone drifted off to bed Yuna and Lulu sought the comfort of their men and quietly moved into their tents, leaving Rikku and Moira alone in their tent. Rikku didn't say much, she didn't know how to express what she was feeling. She finally decided that a blunt approach was the best.

"He will break your heart, Moira."

"What are you talking about?" Moira asked, confused.

"Auron. He will break your heart in the end. He broke mine, he broke Lulu's and he'll break yours."

"Lulu? I thought she was with Wakka," Moira said, a little scandalized at this new piece of gossip. She already knew that Rikku had fancied herself in love with Auron at one time, but to hear about Lulu was very strange.

"She wasn't always with Wakka. At the very beginning of the journey she found herself in Auron's embrace one night. Don't tell her I told you though!"

"I won't. What happened?" Moira asked, leaning forward.

"They were in the moonlight; doing what came natural and just as things got really interesting he stopped and said he couldn't go through with it. He just left her there, half naked, lying on the ground longing for his touch."

"Really? What did she do?" Moira asked, remembering a similar situation she had gone through in her "real" life. She sympathized with Lulu and hoped she was better at handling the rejection than she was.

"She just got up, got dressed and walked away. She told me she said something to him but she never mentioned what it was exactly. I only hope it was what he deserved. Imagine, doing something like that to a poor defenceless girl," Rikku said, punching the ground in her anger. Moira could tell they were no longer speaking of Lulu, given that the word defenceless was no description for the black mage in question.

"Rikku, what happened with you?"

"I told him I loved him; big mistake there! I walked around for days on a cloud of infatuation and he tossed me back to earth with a simple phrase."

"What?"

"After I told him how I felt, he stared at me and then walked away. When I went to follow him he called out over his shoulder, 'I'm not for you, kid. It's not the way the story goes.' Just like that, calling me kid like I was 13 or something. When I yelled after him he didn't respond, just kept walking. It took me a long time to get over that, but eventually I did; it was just, seeing the two of you today brought it all back."

"I'm sorry, Rikku," Moira said, looking at the sad girl.

"It's ok, I'll get over it. Now, what are you still doing in here? Obviously you don't mind your heart getting broken, so why haven't you gone to him?"

"Gone to him? Are you crazy? I can't do that!" Moira gasped.

"Why not? He wants you, you know, there can't be any doubt about that!" Rikku said giggling.

"I'm not so sure about that. I think you're seeing things that aren't there," Moira said shyly.

"Ok...no tent to myself tonight then. And here I was thinking that I could finally get me some Kimahri," Rikku said nonchalantly. Moira gasped and looked at the girl. He shock was immediately alleviated when Rikku burst into a fit of laughter and rolled over on her bed. Moira laughed but wasn't entirely sure if it really was a joke; Rikku could be pretty unpredictable.

"Can you imagine?" she laughed. "He'd crush me! Then there are his claws! I can't see it being a gentle experience!" Rikku's voice drifted off.

Moira just laughed some more and turned over on her bed. She didn't fall asleep right away but she didn't dare move for fear she would walk out of her tent and into Auron's. Although she wanted nothing more in the world, she couldn't bring herself to do it. She was awake when she heard Rikku rise out of her bed and slip quietly out of the tent. A little while later, she could hear strange growls followed by the Al Behd girl's sighs. Somewhere near the camp Rikku had presented herself to the Ronso for a night of passion and from what Moira could hear he was only too happy to oblige. Moira guessed it wasn't the first time this had happened. She tossed and turned a little more in her bunk, extremely uncomfortable and hot. She loosened the strings on her corset allowing her to breathe more easily but it still wasn't enough. Rikku's words haunted her and several times she went to leave the tent in search of Auron, but she still could not. She sat up and pulled her dress off over her head and sat for a few moments naked in the moonlight. Soft cries and moans were heard all over the camp that night – it seemed that Rikku was not the only one in need of comfort that night. She sighed to herself and covered up with her blanket against the breeze and lay down to try to sleep. Sleep still evaded her and she thought about Auron over and over. The memory of his kiss was thrilling and she shivered at the scenes in her mind, her body remembering every touch and caress. Sleep eventually found her and her dream of the searching man returned. This time she found she could speak to him, but he just looked right through her. 'Auron, I'm here' she called but the Auron in her dream just looked past her and kept walking. She chased after him, yelling his name but he couldn't hear her. She picked up an apple that was lying on the ground beside her and threw it at him, desperate to get his attention. Her shot was true and the fruit hit him in the back of the head. He spun around and glared at her. 'You aren't who I'm looking for!' he yelled. He made to go back to his searching but Moira shouted out that she was the one he was looking for. The dream Auron stopped and this time walked over to her. She thought he had finally seen the light but he just whispered 'enough!' and drew his sword, raising it high over his shoulders. He brought it down with a sneer that said he was going to enjoy killing her. Moira screamed and woke up before the sword fell. She sat up and gazed out into the darkness, her breathing ragged and her heart racing.

Author: Ok so there's chapter 7...feeling a little sad no one's reviewed this yet...*sigh* oh well...more to come!