Leilani exited Rin's quietly, spotting Auron immediately in his flamboyant red coat and tense stance. He was facing the sunrise, the gray spikes at his temples and widow's peak blowing slightly in the light breeze. She crept up behind him and tapped him gently on the shoulder. He turned and Leilani could swear she saw a little smile form at the corners of his mouth as she spun in place to show off the new clothes he had bought her. While not very similar to her regular clothes, they were still beautiful and, most importantly, comfortable. Her pale blue top hugged slightly at the hips, had short billowy sleeves that revealed most of her arms, and a neckline that came down to a slight v directly above the cleft of her breasts. The skirt he had bought for her was a shifting shade of blue-black that hung to her knees and flowed softly around her like silk. The shoes were plain black and flat, laceless and elegant, but functional.

"They're beautiful, Auron," she said, stopping in front of him. "Thank you."

He nodded and gestured for her to follow him down the hill as he started toward the village. At first she was a little insulted that he made her walk behind him, but he clarified that it was so he could watch for fiends ahead of her. She walked by his side anyway and saw him raise his eyebrows in curiosity, though he kept silent as usual. When they reached the stalls, Auron headed directly for a shabby little one on the corner that was stocked with some kind of soft, round fruit. He reached into his pocket and was glad to find he still had plenty of gil, paying the merchant and bringing back two of the large purple fruits. He led them to the beach behind the huts, stalls, and trees for some privacy as they ate their breakfast. Leilani took a fruit doubtfully and sniffed it, though she noticed Auron had already taken several huge bites of his.

Well, it's good to try anything once, she thought, biting into it and finding to her delight that it was exquisite. It was soft and granular like a pear, but the taste made her think of an incredibly sweet plum. They scarfed the fruit in silence and afterwards just sat there relaxing, watching the waves.

"They're my favorite," Auron said suddenly. "Manju fruits."

"I can see why," she replied, struggling a little for conversation. She scooted a little closer to him on the sand, but he did not move away. "I never thanked you properly," she said softly.

"For what?"

"Saving me," she answered.

"Hmph."

She raised her eyebrows and Auron forced a response.

"We're even now."

Leilani smiled warmly and returned her gaze to the sea; the waves were gentle, and as she was still exhausted from her ordeal, she found herself being quickly lulled to sleep.

"So what now?" she asked, stifling a yawn and struggling to keep her eyes open.

"I'm not sure," he grumbled, but began thinking it over. He had been so desperate to find her and now that he had, it was as though his path had vanished before his eyes. He suddenly felt as empty and purposeless as he had when he was in her world; there was nothing for him to do, and the uncertainty made him anxious.

"Do you think there's a way for me to get home?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know," he admitted.

Leilani processed his thought without comment, barely reacting beyond a slight raise of her eyebrows and a deep breath. She readjusted herself on the sand and suddenly winced in pain. Auron looked over with concern, but the sound of a group of familiar voices distracted him. Yuna, Tidus, and Rikku were all walking down the beach towards them. Rikku, being more used to running and walking in the sand, reached them first and immediately wrapped her arms around Leilani, who hugged her back somewhat awkwardly. Introductions were made, Tidus mentioned something about Wakka, and Yuna immediately began examining Leilani with interest, a delicate smile curving across her features.

"That was really very sweet of you to help Sir Auron," she said. "When he was stuck in your world."

"Thanks," Leilani responded. "Nothing he wouldn't do for me, apparently," she laughed. "He even kept watch over me all night from a chair in the room."

Everyone became silent for a moment and Auron stiffened.

"You said Wakka had something to tell us?" he asked Tidus, shifting the conversation.

"Oh yeah!" he exclaimed, "Let's go!"