When the four of them got back to the village, only Lulu was there at the house to greet them.
"Wakka and Vidina went to patrol," she said. "They'll be back in time for dinner. Why not get settled?"
She pointed out a small side-room next to two other rooms, all protected by curtains for privacy. While they took their backpacks inside, Lulu stayed behind to speak with Auron and Leilani.
"You're sure it's not a bother?" Leilani asked.
"Braska and Jecht usually go out by themselves, so it'll keep Vidina out of my hair to have Alex over." Lulu answered, smiling. "And I've always wanted a daughter."
"What about Aura?"
"Do you remember how much we talked after we first met?"
"You barely said a thing!" Leilani laughed.
"Aura talks less."
"She talks a lot with Leiko."
"Well, Leiko's more outgoing. She doesn't have two brothers to look after."
"She's not all sunshine and roses," warned Leilani. "She gets into her fair share of trouble."
"Mostly caused by her brother," added Auron.
"Don't pretend you weren't like that at his age," Leilani joked, giggling.
Auron smiled. Alex and Leiko finished putting their few things in the dresser in the guest room, then came back out to say goodbye to their parents. Leiko hugged her mother first. Alex threw a few teasing punches with his dad before they, too, hugged and said goodbye. Alex and Leiko switched, hugging the other parent. Leilani was making a small fuss over Alex's spiky hair, trying in vain to smooth it down, while Auron took his daughter aside for a moment.
Keeping his tone low, he said, "Be careful."
"I will, Dad."
"I mean it." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Your brother gets into more trouble than he notices, and you're the type to try and rescue him. I love you both too much to see you get hurt."
It was a rare little moment between them. Their father never really talked much, but when he did, he knew exactly how to say it. They hugged and Auron put his arm around Leilani. They waved goodbye as they walked out of the village and back towards the jungle, and, eventually, the shore. The kids stood watching them until they were out of sight, but lingered a moment longer afterwards before going back inside the hut to think about home.