CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: A SWEET INTERLUDE

The longer it took to find Saoirse, the more agitated Estinien became. He was appreciative of his new allies and their willingness to help, but their youthful optimism was grating. Terra he could stand. She was gentle in her hope, but Zidane and Vaan we another matter. They were energetic in their beliefs and do-gooder attitudes when all he wanted was silence…Silence and Saoirse.

As if sensing his frustration, Terra placed her hand on Estinien's arm. "Don't fret. We will find her."

"Terra's right! Together, there's nothing we can't do!" Vaan chimed in with a cheerful smile.

Estinien raised his hand in front of Zidane before he could add to their effort. "Enough. Anymore expressions of support are purely time wasted. Even if I am drowning in despair, I pray not resign, I ensure you. Now, please, might we divide and seize this area before anymore daylight is lost?"

"Somebody's a grump." Zidane placed his hand at the back of his head and turned on his heel. "I can only hope your friend is as much a ray of sunshine."

"What is it with dragoons?" Vaan shook his head and walked off in the opposite direction of Zidane.

"Return here as soon as you're done!" Terra called after them before smiling up at Estinien and hurrying off in search of Saoirse.

Estinien looked to the sky and exhaled. Was she out there, beneath the same reddening sky or had fate pulled them further a part than he realized? Either way, he would find her. No being or realm would keep him from her.

She was his destiny.

Saoirse was grateful for Kuja's help, but she worried if it was warranted. How was she to know that she was safe when she walked beside an enemy. At least, she assumed that's who he was…If he was an ally of Sephiroth then that meant they'd been summoned to opposing gods, but she wasn't even sure what she was there to fight for.

"You seem troubled, little cottontail. Apprehensive after your rendezvous with Sephiroth?" Kuja flipped on his heel and hovered just above the ground, facing Saoirse. He floated back as she continued forward. "His is a dark sonata, to be certain."

"And you…Are you not on his side?" Saoirse held back her hair as the wind combed through her locks.

"I too was summoned by Spiritus, yes."

"Then why are you willing to help me?"

Kuja let his feet touch the ground, stopping Saoirse from proceeding. "That's the problem with villainous types, isn't it?" He placed the tip of his black nail beneath her chin. "We all are out for our own self interests."

She met his light blue stare. "And what is it you want."

"I wouldn't want to spoil the show, but rest assured, it will be a stellar performance." Kuja smiled and gently touched the back of her cheek with his fingertips. "Come, and we will make beautiful music together." He turned from Saoirse and moved deeper into the brush, beckoning her to follow.

Saoirse looked around and for a moment she considered running, but something told her she had to follow Kuja. She wasn't sure how, but he was the one who would lead her back to Estinien. She could feel it.

Exdeath proved to be a difficult opponent for Aymeric. Both stood weakened, but with Haurchefant injured, Exdeath held the upper hand. Aymeric was stuck defending himself and Haurchefant against a foe that armies failed to slay.

"Ser Aymeric, please, you must go after Saoirse." Haurchefant rose to his feet and gritted his teeth through the pain. "I will hold off this demon long enough for you to escape."

Aymeric stepped in front of Haurchefant and parried Exdeath's attack. "I will do no such thing." He drove Exdeath back. "Saoirse is the Warrior of Light, and I have faith that she can stand against her adversary until we arrive. I shall not abandon you, friend. I will crush this beast and we shall see to Saoirse's rescue together!"

Exdeath laughed and drove his arm forward, bringing his blade crashing against Aymeric's. "Fools! You may as well count yourselves dead already!" He curled his armored hand into a mighty fist and hammered it against Aymeric's abdomen, sending both men flying back.

Aymeric used his sword to help him balance upon standing. "I will not die here." He raised his blade and took step forward. "Not unless I am carrying you to the mausoleum with me!"

Exdeath went to strike, but before his sword clashed with Aymeric's a young woman appeared between them, parrying Exdeath's blade with her own.

"Now, Squall!" The young woman called.

An explosion burst behind Exdeath, bringing him to his knees in a cloud of smoke and gunpowder.

Exdeath's sword clanked against the ground and the young woman looked back to Aymeric. "Quickly, grab your friend." She nodded toward Haurchefant, her pink hair following her movements.

Aymeric helped Haurchefant to his feet and from the cloud of smoke a young man in a black bomber jacket lined with white, fur trim collar appeared resting a gunblade against his shoulder. "Let's go, before he gets a second wind."

"Who are you?" Aymeric looked between the strangers, grateful for their aid.

"Lightning."

"Squall…consider us the calvary."

Lightning stepped past Aymeric and Haurchefant. "Let's move, there's a summon nearby. We don't have time for him."

"You go on ahead." Squall stayed behind so Aymeric and Haurchefant could follow Lightning.

Aymeric did not move. "Wait…Our companion, she was taken by another man, toward that tower. We can't leave her."

Squall glanced back at Spiritus's domain and knit his brow. "Listen, if she's there, then you'll need more than just me and Lightning to get her back."

Haurchefant squeezed Aymeric's shoulder. "It's as you said, she's the Warrior of Light. She will endure." Haurchefant smiled through his pain. He could only hope that Aymeric was right. He wanted to believe she'd be safe. Saoirse was strong, he knew that, but this wasn't Eorzea and this knew enemy threatened to undo them all.

But if they were lucky, there new allies would see them through.

Twilight lingered on the horizon and though they neared Materia's tower, Saoirse and Kuja hadn't met with any of her warriors during their travels. They stopped near a riverbank to procure fish when Saoirse's hunger became audible.

They sat fireside and she watched the embers flicker in thought. She raised her head when Kuja suddenly rose to his feet.

"Ah, he's here…I've been waiting to see you, Zidane." Kuja turned around and in the distance stood Zidane and the others.

Zidane raised his daggers and crouched, ready to strike should the need arise. "Kuja! I should have known you'd be here."

"Every symphony needs it's maestro, after all." Kuja grinned. "And what a symphony it is…surrounded by such wonderful familiar faces. But you," Kuja paused and pointed to Estinien before bringing his index finger to his lips. "You are new. Perhaps, he is a friend of yours, cottontail?" Kuja stepped aside and Saoirse's eyes met Estinien's.

"Saoirse."

"Estinien!" Saoirse jumped to her feet and ran to Estinien. She threw her arms around his neck and he caught her in his embrace, holding her close to him. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Estinien tenderly ran his hand along the back of her head. "You are a troublesome woman…but I am relieved." He pulled back slightly and placed his hand to her cheek. He'd thought he'd lost her. Not to Aymeric or Haurchefant, but to some unknown force that he could not rival. He'd feared the worst, so there, with her in his arms, he surrendered himself to his feelings and the world around him faded. He brushed his lips against hers, slowly at first, but just the slightest taste of her affection was enough to fill him with fever. He parted her mouth and traced his tongue against hers. He wanted to fill her with the same fire. Bury himself inside her and let the warmth wash over them both.

But regardless of how Estinien perceived the world, he remained surrounded by annoyances.

"Wow, I didn't think he had it in him to be friendly, let alone this friendly." Zidane sheathed his daggers with a laugh.

Estinien was hesitant to pull away from Saoirse, but no sooner had he parted than he glared at Zidane. "Silence, you insufferable leprechaun."

"Oh, dear. I quite like this one." Kuja approached Estinien and mapped his body with his gaze before glancing at Saoirse. "I did not realize we were in search of your lover…Is he the jealous type?"

Estinien stepped between Kuja and Saoirse. "And who are you supposed to be?" If Zidane's earlier actions indicated anything, it was that Kuja posed a threat. He was foe, and if that were certain, Estinien wouldn't let Kuja near Saoirse again.

"I am Kuja." He placed his thumb against Estinien's bottom lip. "And I think I'm going to enjoy playing your melody."