Title: Broken, Beaten, and Damned

By: Aina Song

Fandom(s): Final Fantasy X/ Yu Yu Hakusho

Genre: Yaoi

Rating: PG-15

Warning(s): Crossover; Slightly AU; Language; Some OOC; Direct Quotes; Altered Quotes; Altered Scenes (and other such subtle storyline changes). Italics = thought bubbles, Fayth speech and/or telepathy, and Al Bhed.

Pairing(s): Yusuke x Tidus

Reviews: Yes, please! For the love of God, someone give me a cookie!

Author's Note: Standard Disclaimer. This story was not written for money. Would you believe someone dared me to do this one?

Teaser: When Yusuke finds himself in a world far unlike his own, the most pressing questions on his mind - how he got there, and how he might get back home - gradually take a backseat to the sacrificial urgency of his new friends' seemingly futile crusade…

Chapter Ten - The Saving of Spira

Their entourage was especially somber as they followed the road, leaving the disaster called Operation Mi'ihen far behind them. Survivor's guilt, Yusuke sighed, tailing after the others and guarding the rear. As a nearly constant victim of it himself, it was easy for the dark youth to recognize the symptoms. And he knew there was nothing that could be said to ease the pain. Yusuke himself had already let it wash over him, had accepted it, and was that much closer to moving on. But it must've hit closer to home for the others, so he could understand that it was taking longer for them.

He had fallen slightly behind yet again, and he quickened his pace to catch up with his companions. This time, however, he had not gone unnoticed. Auron had let Kimahri replace him at the lead, nodding in silent assurance as the others passed him by. Sighing, knowing what was coming and knowing there would be no avoiding it, Yusuke caught up to the man.

Auron gave him a long look with his good eye. "Do you always look like something chewed you up and spat you out after that stunt of yours?"

The tattooed demon found himself giving a hard laugh at the mental image. He should have known better than to expect the other guardian to be subtle about it.

"What happened?" The man asked, point-blank. "And why were Tidus and Kimahri the only ones unsurprised by your display?"

"Because it wasn't Kimahri's first time seein' it," Yusuke admitted easily enough. "And Tidus… trusts me."

Auron, seeming finally to run out of what little patience he'd had, grabbed Yusuke by the arm, stopping them both in their tracks. The rest of their companions continued on ahead, but the older warrior paid them no mind. "I won't go so far as to call you a fiend. But I don't think you're human, either. So, which is it?"

His fierce brown eyes narrowed, and he jerked his arm free. "Are you really that much of a hypocrite, old man?"

"What?"

"I may not be human," he hissed, careful that his words did not carry beyond the two of them. "But at least I can own up to it."

Auron drew back a half-step, fist flexing unconsciously around the hilt of his claymore. Though his good eye remained steady as he returned Yusuke's glare, there was the tiniest hint of uncertainty. "How much do you know?"

"Enough. You're not human, and you're hiding it from the people you pretend to trust."

"When did you-"

"Figure it out?" Yusuke shook his head; "I didn't. I still don't know exactly what you are, old man, but the feel of your aura practically screams 'nonhuman'."

Auron blinked, "I didn't realize you were spiritually sensitive…"

"Why do you think the Sinspawn gave me a headache?" He snapped. "I'm probably the best alarm system you guys got - the more powerful the energy, the easier I can sense it. I'm actually startin' to get pissed off at how much whiplash I'm gettin' because of it." Turning away, Yusuke took off along the road again, confident their companions would eventually stop somewhere to wait for them.

Auron caught up to him in a matter of seconds, falling in step at his side. "Whiplash," the warrior in red slowly repeated. "Is that why I found you with a nosebleed when we first met?"

"Yeah," Yusuke muttered. "Gotta watch out for that. That thing, I don't care what you call it, its power was almost completely the opposite of Tidus and Yuna's aeons…"

"Understandable. Anima is the antithesis to all other aeons."

"Translation?"

"The aeons - Ifrit and Valefor, for example - are incarnations of the Fayth's will to protect Spira from Sin," the warrior reminded. "Anima possesses only the power of destruction. Tempered against an even stronger will, I have heard it said that such power could be tamed. Instead, we find it in the hands of a corrupted man like Seymour Guado…"

Yusuke bared his fangs in a dark scowl at the mention of that name. And for once, Auron knew better than to say anything more.

~o~

Another temple. This one, he was informed, was called Djose.

Yusuke stared. It was rustic-looking, and wedged into the cliffside itself. Large boulders floated around it, held aloft by strong electric energy visible even to human eyes. He quickly suppressed his own energy deep inside himself as they approached the temple's grounds, not wishing to disrupt such a powerful flow. When he was positive that barely a flicker of his aura could escape his hold, he followed his companions closer.

"It's said the Djose Temple only opens itself up like that when a summoner prays to its Fayth," Lulu commented, thoughtful.

Wakka shrugged, "Guess we'll have to wait our turn."

Yusuke gave a slight frown. The only other summoners he'd met so far had been Dona and Belgemine. He wasn't particularly looking forward to running into Dona a third time. And Belgemine had mentioned trying to defeat Sin in the past already, which had to mean she'd already acquired her aeons from each temple. She wouldn't need to visit them again.

"Hey," Tidus whispered, nodding toward something to the side of the temple.

Everyone turned, and Yusuke's sharp eyes picked out a familiar silhouette crouching behind the bare branches of a large plant. As they approached, the tattooed demon recognized who it was before his companions, but it didn't take long for them to catch up.

Yuna gasped, taking her brother by the arm. "Gatta…"

The dark-skinned youth barely acknowledged their presence. Yusuke, tasting the pain in the air from the boy's aura, lightly grabbed Wakka's shoulder when the ex-blitzball captain made to move closer. He gave the redhead a serious look, very softly warning, "He's grieving…"

Wakka's eyes widened, and he turned his head to stare at the boy. After another moment, he nodded and waited until the tattooed demon removed his hand. Yusuke and the others silently watched on as Wakka sank down on his knee beside the boy. "Hey… Gatta?"

"Wakka…" The boy whispered, and his young voice cracked. "I… I found him. I found Luzzu…"

"Yeah?" He urged, his voice unusually hesitant.

"I found him," Gatta whimpered again. Suddenly drawing up his knees, he hugged his legs and buried his face. And then there came the muffled sound of his weeping. "I-I found him… in the water… He was… w-was… torn in half!"

Yuna and Lulu gasped aloud, Kimahri let out a pained growl, and Auron turned his head aside. Yusuke caught Tidus' gaze, dark eyes desperately questioning, but the blond gave a very slight shake of his head, mouthing, "Sin."

Wakka slammed his fist to the ground with a muttered profanity. "I told him… I told that bastard not to let this happen…"

"I can't do this anymore," Gatta moaned, his young voice cracking emotionally, his entire frame trembling like a leaf as he hunkered further into himself. "I'm returning to Luca and taking the first boat back to Besaid."

Wakka shook his head with another oath, and he leaned close to wrap an arm around the boy's shoulders.

Tidus signaled to the others, and they left the two alone. Yusuke followed, glancing once over his shoulder and hating how a soldier who had been so eager could be left so shaken.

As they approached the temple, the boulders froze in midair and then converged on the temple, hiding all but the rust-covered doors. "Whoever is in there must have completed their prayers," Tidus observed.

"I hope they were successful," Yuna said, letting go of her brother's arm to hold his hand instead. "Let's wish them good fortune for their pilgrimage."

The blond nodded, and together their entourage entered the temple. They gathered in the prayer hall, waiting. Yusuke glanced around at the ring of statues, suddenly realizing he did not know which portrayed the twins' father. He suspected it had to be one of them; the man was still revered for being the most recent to defeat Sin.

The sound of a door opening recaptured his attention, and he watched as two men descended the stairs, with a small boy tailing closely behind them. One man was dark-skinned with black hair; he and the boy were covered in sparse armor. The other man, wearing robes of blue, had longish brown hair that had been tied back and smiling blue eyes.

"I beg your pardon," this one gently spoke as they approached. "But may I ask your names?"

"I am Summoner Tidus," the blond introduced himself. "I travel with my sister, the Lady Yuna, and we hail from the Isle of Besaid."

"Hello," Yuna shyly greeted.

"As I thought," the man nodded, smiling. "The descendents of Lord Braska. You both have the look of your father."

"You knew him?" Tidus wondered.

"No," he apologized, "I have never met the man." Then his smile returned, "But where are my manners? I am Isaaru. I'm a summoner, like you two."

"I'm Pacce," the small boy volunteered. "Nice to meet you!"

"And I'm Maroda," added the dark-skinned youth. "I'm my brother's guardian."

Yusuke frowned, glancing to the small boy. Was Pacce their brother, too? Was he traveling with them because there was no other option, or did they really mean to make so young a child a guardian as well?

Isaaru was speaking again. "Since I can remember, I have always looked up to Lord Braska. I wished I could be a High Summoner, like he was," he admitted, waving an arm toward one of the statues.

Yusuke turned, dark eyes settling upon the solemn visage of his friends' father. So that was Braska. Proudly cast in stone, reverence obvious in the finest detail… Swallowing, humbled by the sheer presence of the man it honored, the tattooed demon turned his gaze away and returned his attention to the summoners' conversation.

"The both of you must have your father's talent in you," Isaaru was saying now. "I do not fear Sin, knowing either of you might someday defeat it if I cannot."

Tidus' fiery blue eyes flashed, and the blond bowed low to the other summoner. "We have only recently been ordained by the temples of Yevon. Your confidence humbles us."

"Yes," Yuna agreed, herself bowing to the young man.

Isaaru gave a gentle laugh. "Of course, I've no intention of giving up so easily. So, perhaps we should race to see who can defeat Sin first, no?"

Tidus' expression changed very quickly at that, from respectful to carefully withdrawn and even a little pained. Yuna's smile lost its strength. Glancing around, Yusuke saw that each of the others had found something disagreeable about Isaaru's words as well. Before he could wonder at that, however, Yuna stepped forward, her smile firmly in place once more. "Very well," she quietly nodded. "We accept your challenge."

Tidus glanced at his sister, but only squeezed her hand as he turned again to the other summoner. "Let's each pray that the other will not be given the chance to succeed…"

Isaaru's eyes grew gentler than before, with even a glimpse of sadness. "Yes, of course," he whispered. He then motioned to his brothers, and the three of them moved out of the way.

Tidus and Yuna dipped their heads in another bow, before finally leading up the stairs that would lead to the chambers within. Auron went up after them, then Kimahri and Lulu. Before Yusuke could follow, however, a hand grabbed his arm, stopping him. He turned his head, meeting Maroda's ginger-brown gaze.

The dark-skinned youth immediately let go, his expression showing that he meant no harm. "Are you one of their guardians?"

"For all intents and purposes, yeah," Yusuke answered. "Why?"

"My brother has heard a curious rumor," Isaaru softly revealed. "We thought it too important to keep to ourselves."

"We met some of those Crusaders on our way here," Maroda said. "I heard it from them. Seems summoners have been going out on pilgrimage and just… disappearing."

Yusuke's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"It could just be the fiends got them," Isaaru suggested, gently. "But… not so many, so quickly…"

"Watch your back," Maroda earnestly warned. "With two summoners, your entourage could be in twice as much danger as ours. No matter how many guardians you have."

Yusuke nodded.

Wakka finally entered the temple as the three brothers left, and he sprinted up to Yusuke with a curious frown. "Who were they?"

"Friends," the dark youth firmly declared.

Wakka stared. "Yeah? You finally found someone you know? Can they get you home?"

He shook his head, "No, we'd just met. But I might have to owe them one." Sighing, he turned to the redhead. "C'mon. Everyone else is already on their way to the sacred chamber."

~o~

They caught up to the others in the antechamber. Everyone quietly welcomed Wakka back, and Tidus tossed Yusuke a small smile before he and his twin entered the chamber of the Fayth. Kimahri moved in front of the door, a silent guard.

Yusuke sank back against a wall and crossed his arms, getting comfortable. He knew it would be a while; the last time had taken them four hours. Not that he had any right to complain, even if he felt like it. He remembered Yuna's explanation, that first night he had spoken with her and her brother.

This was the important part. There was no rushing it, and no cutting corners, or they would risk what Wakka had called excommunication.

"Well," a woman's voice drawled, breaking the silence. "Look who we have here."

Yusuke swallowed a groan, turning his head. Sure enough, there stood Dona and her guardian Barthello. After meeting the likes of the uncommonly gentle Isaaru, the presence of so arrogant a woman was especially grating.

Barthello suddenly stepped away from Dona, approaching Auron at the far end of the room. Dona, slighted, followed after him as she demanded, "What is it, Barthello? You know this riffraff?"

For once, her man ignored her. "You are… Auron, no?"

The red-robed warrior arched his brow, greatly disinterested and perhaps even a little bored. "What of it?"

"Can I shake your hand?" Barthello requested, surprising everyone. "Sir Auron… You're the reason I became a guardian."

Something dark flickered in Auron's good eye, but he quickly masked it with a gruff chuckle, extending his hand. As Barthello happily shook it, Wakka turned to Dona with a disbelieving look. "Calling the personal guardian to Lord Braska riffraff?"

"And you call yourself a summoner?" Lulu added.

Dona scowled at the both of them, finally snapping at Barthello to return to her side. They picked a corner of the room apart from everyone else to wait, and Dona definitely did not look happy to have been so effectively taken down a peg.

~o~

It was six hours this time, before the door to the sacred chamber slid up behind the wall. Light spilled into the antechamber, and a blurred silhouette grew solid as it drew near, revealing Tidus and Yuna. It was obvious that the praying had taken its toll yet again, as both were so exhausted they could barely lift their feet to come out of the Fayth's chamber.

Kimahri came forth, carefully helping Yuna sink to the floor to rest for a bit. Meanwhile, Yusuke had moved to Tidus' side, taking the blond's arm across his shoulders like he had so often done before and shifting to brace the extra weight.

"You owe so much to your father," Dona spoke up from across the room, and it was clear from her tone that she was still seething. "All these guardians… and now Sir Auron, too?" She pushed away from the wall, crossing the room to stand before them with her fist to her hip. "And I hear Maester Seymour is quite taken with you, little Yuna. The world must look different, when you're descended from a High Summoner like Braska!"

Poor Yuna gave a soft cry, and tears sprang to her pretty mismatched eyes. Seeing this, Yusuke bled his power into his own eyes, blackening them, and he gave a fierce growl. Dona quickly backed off, stark fear shaking her barely-garbed figure.

"I asked you once before," Tidus spoke, eyes glaring like blue fire, voice suddenly cold and dangerous. "Now I'm warning you. Leave us in peace. This has nothing to do with our father, which you would see if you weren't so desperate to prove yourself. We are traveling of our own will, summoners ordained by the Fayth and by Yevon. As are you. Stop wasting your energy being jealous of the accident of our heritage, and put it toward the saving of Spira."