So anime Boston was a blast. Can't wait to go again next year. I should have taken more pictures. Oh well, next time.

One part in here kinda weaseled its way in. I didn't plan for it, but well, if you know old cartoons you might get it. I laughed after I saw it myself. Guess my fingers moved faster then my brain on that one. You'll understand when you see it.

So anyway, last chapter we left off with Rikku being kidnapped right in front of everyone. Sacrificing herself for the lives of Cid and Auron. I planned that scene since chapter one, and I rather liked the way it played out. I guess onto the next chapter then, enough of my rambling.

--

Seymour circled the young woman staring deep withing her green orbs. To tell the truth he was rather impressed she was able to break through the curse he had her under. Not many were able to escape his spells. He stopped circling after a moment and used the tips of his fingers to tilt her head up to where he could see better.

"Tell me, did you lay with him?" He asked carefully.

"No, master."

He inspected her face for any falsehood before moving away seeming satisfied with her answer. "No, I suppose you didn't." He released her chin and moved back. "At least you had that much sense."

Rikku stepped forward as if she wanted to say something. "Master, I..."

"Silence!" He shouted stopping whatever plea she was going to make. Rikku stepped back bowing her head. "You didn't lay with him, I can tell. But you did other, more treacherous things. You thought about it, wanted to. Ah, yes, I could see it when you looked at him before we left." He took a deep breath as if trying to hold something back. Rikku was unprepared for what happened next. "Whore!" He shouted at her before his hand caught the side of her face.

Rikku squeaked in pain and surprise before falling to the ground. She did not cry though, there had been enough tears shed already. It hurt, but the pain on the outside would fade in time. The shame he made her feel would always be with her though.

Seymour leaned over and roughly grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet. "We leave now. Zanarkand awaits us over the mountain. You have wasted enough of my time." Seymour let go of her and left the small agency room knowing she would follow him wherever he chose to go.

The sun was bright and warm as soon as she set her first foot in the grasslands of the fields that lay below Gagazet. Rikku tilted her head back and closed her eyes absorbing as much of the sun as she could. Who knew if she would ever get a chance like this again.

"Do not dwaddle, slave. We must press on." Seymour warned as he walked ahead. Lowering her head, Rikku followed.

--

His head still pounded behind his eyes, but at least he was alive. That much he could be thankful for. But at what cost? Rikku had willingly given herself up to save their lives. It was something he hated to dwell on. But he had to wonder what the Guado lord was thinking. He could have just as easily killed them and taken Rikku if he wanted to, but he allowed them to live. He wondered not for the first time, just what was his plan.

"Auron! We think we found them." Tidus had found his hiding spot. He had come up on the deck of Cid's ship to think alone. Perhaps he would have to find a better spot next time. "Hey, did you hear me?" The boy pressed.

Auron turned his head from the passing clouds and stared. Tidus shrank back before steeling himself and bringing his body to his full height. "I heard you." He replied flatly. No more no less. Just covering the answer to the question.

"Yuna says that they have started to cross Mount Gagazet. Don't know how he's doing it, but Seymour is just flying up the path. One moment he's at the first gates, then we find him halfway up in a matter of seconds. It's hard to track him, but we're close." He seemed to pleased with himself. Pleased, yet a little upset they could not keep constant track of him.

"Teleport pads." Auron replied as the blond stared at him in confusion. "He's using the teleport pads to get around. But we still have the airship. Tell Cid to set a course for the outskirts of the ruins. We will have to go by foot from there."

Tidus saluted before running off at top speed. It would take at least an hour to cross the mountain. The high altitude making it hard for the ship to fly over since the air was thinner. But that would be fine by Auron. By his guess, they should still arrive in time to stop Seymour from fulfilling his plans. But it also gave him time to sort through his thoughts.

It had been four years since he had seen Cid's daughter. Back then he could see the makings of a little girls crush on him. He played it down telling himself that it wouldn't last. But then when she had seen him again, she had been the one to kiss him. Perhaps it was out of gratitude for helping her. It was hard to say, but somehow he knew deep down that the crush never really died.

So if her crush never died, what feelings could he say he felt for her? He cared for her, yes. But was it more then the care he had for Braska's daughter or Jecht's son? But at one point he had willingly kissed her. Add on the fact that he had given everything he had up for her. He could have just handed her over to Kinoc and he could have gone back to his life without any problems or hassles. But he knew deep down that would not have been the honorable thing to do.

His hands gripped the railing in front of him tightly. The knuckles began turning white from the force. He let go only once the metal began digging into flesh. Why had he given everything up for her? It was crazy, insane, stupid, foolhardy. Something one only did for those they cared the most for. His thoughts stopped there. 'Cared the most for?' Was that how he saw Cid's daughter? But...

If he had the chance to do things over again, would he do it the same way? Without even thinking about it, he knew he would. He knew now without a doubt he would do anything to save her life. Even if it cost him his own.

--

Yuna opened her eyes slowly. She had been talking to Valefor and then her newest aeon, Bahamut. On Valefor's urging, they had stopped in the temple while they were in the city. She had told them they would need more then one aeon if they were to defeat Seymour. Just as she had done for the couple in Besaid, Bahamut had done the same for them while in Bevelle. Bahamut was strong, much stronger then Yuna expected, but her body was able to accept the new summon.

Lulu was watching her friend closely making sure everything was well. "So, what did they say?" She asked as soon as Yuna's eyes opened.

"We must hurry. Seymour is already in the city. If we can beat them to the old stadium, then we have a chance of stopping him."

"I see. Very well. I shall inform Cid." The mage walked off

Yuna felt a presence behind her and turned to see Tidus standing there. He gave her a weak smile to try and encourage her. "I know it's tough, and I know it's scary, but we will win. Just you wait and see. Seymour doesn't stand a chance!"

She nodded at how sure he sounded. He was always so optimistic. He could make any situation look good. "I guess you're right." She finally agreed as he wrapped his arms around her. They quickly jumped apart when the door opened suddenly.

Auron stepped in, glanced around before walking back out. The couple looked to one another unsure of what to make of the strange event. Both shrugging it off, they headed out to meet with Cid on the bridge. He should be ready to give them some last minute details.

Instead they were met with an almost confrontation between ex-monk and father.

"I don't care what you think! I can't make this ship move any faster then it already is without breaking it apart!" Cid was shouting in typical Cid fashion. Yet Auron stood there and took it staying as calm as ever.

"I see then. Sorry you feel that way then. I had thought that the life of your only daughter would be something that would make you interested in going faster."

"Look, I'm just as worried as you are. Maybe more, maybe less. But that fact remains that if we try and push the ship we won't have a ship to speak of."

Auron seemed to sigh and deflate. How could he argue with logic like that. All he wanted was to reach Rikku before Seymour put any plans into action. With a quick nod to Cid, he turned and walked off the bridge to be ready for departure.

"That was close, huh?" Wakka asked after everything had been defused. They knew he was just trying to lighten the mood, but it was too little too late.

"You kids better get ready as well. I can't fight like I used to, so I'm going to have to leave it all in your hands. So don't mess up." Cid warned them.

"Don't worry, Uncle Cid. We will do everything we can to bring Rikku home." Yuna answered.

--

It was such a desolate place that one might wonder what could possibly be found within the ruins. But he was not worried. The secrets he was searching for lay deep under ground. Over a hundred years ago this stadium was abandoned when players complained they could feel odd things as they played. After the death of one in the middle of the game, it was finally agreed to build another. This was left to rot and decay.

A chill ran up Rikku's spine as she looked around. They hadn't even entered the old stadium yet, and she felt odd. It was almost as if she could feel fingers wrapping around her neck choking her from behind.

"Don't stop, slave. We are short on time."

Fingers really were wrapped around her. Seymour's in fact. He was pushing her forward. Squeezing a little tighter when she stopped. Not giving her a chance to rest, a chance to run. He led them into the deepest part there was, and Rikku felt a slight relief when she noticed this didn't seem as worn as the rest of the building. But it also appeared to be a dead end. Maybe what he was searching for wasn't really here. There was always that hope.

"Stay here and do not move." He warned her as his fingers were removed from her neck. He had left her to stand next to a screen as he began moving spheres and pedestals.

--

They were ready to go, all of them. The couples kissed wishing one another luck before parting. Auron turned from the displays. He was the only one to see Cid enter the room. Stepping away from the hanger doors, he went over to see what he wanted.

"A word with you." Cid said before he had a change to speak.

"You have it."

The others noticed he was not directly behind them like he was only seconds before.

"Hey, Auron! You coming or what?" Tidus asked as they all waited on his answer.

"Go on ahead. I will catch up in a moment." He answered before turning back to Cid. The group shrugged, but waited just outside for him."What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Cid took a deep breath as if unsure just how to say what he wanted. But he was Cid and never at a loss for words...until now. "I need to know one thing. My daughter means the world to me and I want to know that she will be safe." Auron opened his mouth to say something, but Cid went on. "Not just physically. But emotionally as well. From what I have been told, she has gone through a lot in the past four years. I don't want her to hurt any more."

"I assure you, my intentions for Rikku are far from dishonorable. And I do not wish to see her hurt either."

"Hah! Nothing but words! Show me you really mean it!" He grew more somber at his next sentence. "But, Auron, don't lie to yourself either."

Auron was stunned. He was unable to say anything more until after Cid was already gone. He rubbed his temple with the tips of his fingers as he went out to join the others.

"We ready to go now then?" Lulu asked as soon as she saw him approach.

"I believe we are. Tidus?"

"Yeah, boss?"

"You will have to be our guide from here on. The new stadium was built much like this one. Your father took you often as a boy. We will need you to take us to the main pool."

"You got it! Alright, follow me!" Eagerly he took the lead taking them down twists and turns that if they had not been behind him, would have been lost. They fought a few battles, ghosts and apprehensions that appeared as if to stop them from the job they had come to do. "Hey, Auron. What is up with all these ghosts?" Tidus asked randomly after the sixth battle.

"We are close. Seymour has sent them to block anyone who dares try and stop him. We must hurry." He explained as the group moved even faster.

They soon met up with Seymour just as he began to descend deeper within the floor. Wakka tried to throw his ball at him only to have it blocked and bounce back at him from the doorway.

"Yuna, dispel his shield!" Auron called out. He was not about to come this far only to fail now. He could see Rikku's eyes watching them before they were out of sight. She was so scared, but upon seeing them, they took on a light of hope. That was all Auron needed.

"It's not working!" He heard Yuna cry out.

"Don't give up now, ya." Wakka tried to support her. "We can't give up."

She nodded once before trying again. And again, and again, and again. Her cousin needed her and she would save her. Even after Tidus handed her an ether, she refused to give up now. Finally it shattered and fell.

"Let's go." Lulu said as she stepped through. She didn't bother to see if anyone was behind her, she already knew they were.

"The platform. It's not here." Tidus pointed out.

"Yuna, aeon." Auron said.

She nodded before summoning Valefor. The winged creature flew down and landed beside her waiting for instruction. She pointed down inside the pit and the summon nodded before going down. They waited a few tense seconds before the aeon came back up riding the platform. She hugged the aeon before it disappeared in a flash of color. "Now we can go." She said.

Seymour smirked as he saw the group enter the antechamber, but they were too late. The doors were already closing behind him, not to open again until the plan was complete.

A woman appeared in front of him. Royal and majestic looking wearing...wait, that can't be right. She wore little more then a bikini? He wasn't going to argue. Lady Yunalesca was known to be the most powerful mage of her time. Let her wear what she wanted.

"You have unlocked secrets hidden for many millenia. Tell me, what is it you are searching for?"

She was addressing him but he was not afraid. "I have come to seek the answer to cleanse Spira." He replied.

"To cleanse Spira?" She repeated him. "You realize what that means if you do that?"

"I do. I wish to recreate Sin. To use Sin to cleanse Spira of all those that would oppose Yevon."

Yunalesca smirked. It had been too long since she had heard that name. This man in front of her was certainly willing whatever cost to raise up the name of Yevon. She too had been waiting for this day. "Very well, I will grant you with that which you seek. But first, have you brought the one I will change?"

"I have. I give myself for this cause. Change me, that I may be the one to heal Spira."

Rikku tried to back away slowly. This was getting odder and odder the more she stood and listened.

"...but before I can change you, you need a body to dwell in." She had caught only the last part of what Yunalesca had said.

She felt herself being violently pulled in front of Seymour. "Use her. I have trained her for this moment. She is ready."

Yunalesca glided closer to inspect the young girl Seymour presented. Seeming pleased with what she saw, she reached out one hand and thrust it through Seymour's chest. Had she not been holding him in place, he would have surely fallen. But even through the pain he seemed to be in, Rikku could make out the barest trace of a smile on his face. He was receiving that which he had been searching for.

"You are no longer a man, you no longer a girl. Your sacrifice young one will heal this land. May Yevon bless that which you have given." She began to fade into nothing as the pyerflies of Seymour entered Rikku's body. It felt as if every muscle in her body was being rearranged. All her organs pushed aside and moved to make room for the new form of Seymour. When it was all finished and she felt she could take no more, Rikku collapsed.

The doors opened just as she fell to the ground.

Five voices called out her name before she could pass over into blessed unconsciousness. But it was Auron's deep voice that was the loudest. He was directly over her holding her up in his arms.

"Rikku, are you alright? Where's Seymour?"

"He's... gone." She managed to say before darkness took over. She wanted to tell them where, but could not find the energy to do that.

Carefully Auron lifted her from the ground and held her close to himself. "We leave now. Back to the ship."

They met no resistance as they left. The ghosts having served their job. Yuna looked back once and thought that if only for a moment she saw something glisten under one of Auron's eyes. As fast as she thought she saw it, it was gone. They had entered a tunnel that made it too dark to see for sure. Perhaps it was only her imagination, she thought. Auron would never cry. It was unlike him. Pushing those thoughts aside, she concentrated on returning to the airship.

--

Cid watched as they came back. Something akin to a sigh fell past his lips. His shoulders relaxed only once he saw his daughter well. She wasn't awake, but that was okay. All that mattered was she was alive. He knew Auron would be taking her to the sickbay. It would be best to meet him there.

"Aniki," He called to his son. "Once they are all on board, I want you to get us out of here. Take us home."

"Roger. Will do." He answered as Cid left.

Crew made way for the leader as he walked with purpose. They could see that the mission was a success by the way he walked though. The ship rumbled under his feet even before he reached sickbay. He moved faster to see his daughter.

When he arrived, the doctor was leaning over her while Auron stood next to the bed holding her hand. He noticed the odd faces the doctor made as he examined her.

"What's up doc?" Cid asked when he had a chance.

The doctor paused and stared at him before shaking his head. "She seems fine and all, but I am getting strange readings. I can't seem to be able to find the source either."

Cid stepped closer to his daughter and ran one hand through her hair. The two men were left in silence as neither one knew what to say. It was almost an hour later when the door slid open and Yuna stepped in. Her bi-colored eyes glanced around before she spoke breaking the silence.

"I thought I would find you here. I came to check up on Rikku. How is she?"

Both of them looked away from her not having the answer she was looking for. It was Auron who stood though. "I better go. Let me know as soon as she awakens."

Yuna watched him go calling out to his retreating back. But he never stopped, never paused. So instead she took up the seat he had just left.

--

He didn't know where he was going. Only knew he had to get away.

"Sir Auron, where you going, ya?" Wakka called to him as he passed.

'Ignore him.' He thought to himself.

"Sir Auron, did you see Yuna?" Lulu asked as he walked by.

'Don't stop. Just keep moving.'

"I know you're worried, but she's stronger then you think." Tidus, as he marched on.

Wind whipped at his hair and coat as he took the last step. He was back outside on the deck of the airship. Clouds passed by uncaring and cold. This was the solitude he had been searching for. He didn't know how he got here, and frankly, didn't care. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

Auron didn't know how long he stood there like that, he jumped when he felt a pair of warm arms wrap around his middle. He tried to turn, but whoever it was, would not let him.

"Kill me?" He thought he heard them whisper.

That made him turn. He grabbed hold of the shoulders in front of him to see who it was asking for such a dark request. Rikku was staring at him with a blank expression on her face.

--