Chapter 41

Paine's Heart

Auron's POV

I still wasn't sure about all of it. I was alive that much I knew. But I couldn't help but fear that it wouldn't last. Such a fear was only natural. But when I looked at Amahy, all those fears vanished. I was alive, I seemed to have gotten back the ten years I'd spent as an unsent. I was glad that Amahy wouldn't be seen with a man who looked so much older than her, even if was just in appearance. An airship came for us, much bigger than the one we'd ridden four years ago. Amahy smiled at me.

"What do you think of the Celsius?"

"Big. Very big."

She laughed. I'd missed the musical sound of her laugh. She took my hand and we went inside. Yuna went ahead and I took Amahy to the side.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm worried." I told her.

She arched her brow and I took a deep breath.

"I'm worried that this isn't permanent."

She nodded.

"Will talking to Shinra ease your worries? He's the genius who made it."

I nodded and she kissed me. I wrapped my arms around and wove my fingers into her soft blond hair. She moaned softly before leaning back.

"Come on."

I nodded and she led me to the bridge. Rikku's eyes nearly popped out of her head and Yuna smiled.

"Welcome back, Sir Auron." Yuna said.

I couldn't help but smile.

"He looks uh... not so old." said the blond with tattoos.

"Crid ib!" Amahy snapped.

"Sorry about Brother. He's just dumb." Rikku told me.

"I assume you're the leader here?" I asked her.

They all gasped and looked at Brother who started to jump.

"I am the leader! Me! I give the orders around her!" he shouted.

Amahy looked at her sister for some reason.

"I'm sure Sir Auron was only joking."

He calmed right down.

"Hey Buddy, do me a favor and take us to Besaid. Auron and I need to see... our son." Amahy said.

The man, Buddy, smiled and nodded.

"You got it, Amahy."

My son. I'm going to meet my son.

I looked at Amahy and she smiled at me.

"I promised him when I came back I'd have you with me. I don't break my promises." she turned back to the others. "So, what are we doing about Vegnagun?"

"Nooj and Gippal have their own plans. I say we let them deal with it."

I saw a woman with grey hair start walking away.

Yuna's POV

I saw Paine walk away and I remembered the sphers Nooj and Gippal had given me. I went after and found her up on deck. She turned to me as I approached and I held out the spheres.

"They gave me these."

I held them out and she took them but said nothing. After a minute she asked,

"Did they say anything?"

'No."

"I see."

I decided it would be best if I left her alone so I started to walk away.

"They're old friends."

I turned back.

Is she really going to tell me about her past?

"The three of them were candidates for the Crimson Squad. And I was the recorder assigned to their team. Yevon created the squad and started training members four years ago. It was supposed to be an elite fighting force. The best were to be assigned leadership of Crusader chapters across Spira..."

I took a step forward.

"But?"

"The squad was destroyed before that happened. Most of the candidates died. An accident. The four of us were separated then. Things happened. I don't get it. I was there, I saw everything. But still, I don't know why it happened that way, even now. So I went to look... for some answers."

I nodded.

"You became a sphere hunter."

I heard the door open behind us and Paine smirked.

"I always did wanna fly on this thing."

I smirked and Rikku came running forward with Amahy. I hadn't seen my sister look this happy in a long time.

"Whatcha talking about? Or is another one of those secrets?" Rikku asked.

Amahy chuckled.

"That's alright, I didn't wanna know anyway."

Paine walked past her and pointed at her.

"Too bad, I was just about to tell you."

Amahy smiled at me.

"Really?"

"Too late now."

Rikku said something to Paine in Al Behd and Amahy laughed. I did too and Rikku just scowled at us.

"We used to laugh like this once, the four of us. I've been chasing my past for so long.. sometimes getting it back is all I can think about. Other times, I just want to forget."

Paine walked towards me.

"What about you? Shuyin isn't who you though, is he?" she asked.

I looked away sadly.

Amahy's POV

I finally had Auron back, but now we were even further away from finding Tidus.

"No." Yuna said.

"Maybe we should both let go of our past and focus more on what's to come." Paine suggested.

Rikku looked worried as she walked forward.

"You're not leaving the Gullwings?"

"Always a possibility."

She walked back inside and Rikku ran after her. I looked at Yuna.

"So many things seemed intertwined. But none of the lead to him. Why be a sphere hunter if what I'm hunting for can never be found?"

I walked over and hugged her.

"I promised we would find him and we will. I won't give up. I miss him too. He was a true friend and I trusted him completely. We'll find a way." I told her.

She hugged me tightly but didn't say anything.

"There is still hope." I whispered.

I leaned back and gave her a comforting smile.

"Shall I stay out here with you for a bit?"

She shook her head.

"It's alright. I know you want to be with Auron."

I nodded and went back inside.