Chapter 4- Guadosalam

"BELLE! Thank Yevon, we thought we'd lost you, ya know!" called out Averus as he ran towards her. Clutching her in a close hug, he swung her round, causing the normally calm Summoner to giggle like a schoolgirl. "Averus! What the hell are you doing? The Guado are looking!"

Sure enough, every Guado in the vicinity was staring with perplexed and disgusted looks on their faces. "Averus, you know the Guado's don't like humans anyway!" she hissed, wriggling out of the young man's grasp. "Don't give them a reason to hate us."

"Hey, I'm just amazed you're… alive, ya know!" cried Averus, still staring at the older Summoner. "Touka, he was just… devastated."

Belle realised then that Touka had not moved from where he stood. His face was tinged with sadness. "I… I thought you were dead, Belle…"

Belgemine broke herself from the blitzer and faced the young Kilikan. His eyes were brimming with tears as he looked at her intently. She always forgot how young he was- only nineteen to her twenty-nine years- and she often overlooked how new emotions like this were to him. "Please don't cry, Touka" she cooed softly, enveloping the young man in her velvet-draped arms. "I'm here, aren't I? And remember what I said on the moonflow? I meant it. You cant be like this… you know one day I shall-"

"- I don't want to think about that. I'm… glad you're back, Belle." he added, wiping his eyes and embracing her warmly. "And… who is this?"

Behelkhia stood in shadows, cloaked once more. "I am Behelkhia" she whispered, stepping slightly into the light. "I bring back your Summoner. Now I must leave."

"Wait! I… have something to ask you!" cried the summoner as the Ronsa began to walk away. "I… want you to become my guardian."

"What! But Belle" cried Averus. "You've already got two guardians! You… you cant have more!"

"Why not? So what if Bevelle says I have to have two male guardians? Bevelle told me I was to marry Auron too, but that's not happening."

Averus opened his mouth, but shut it again quickly. Belle laughed slightly and turned to Behelkhia. "So, do you accept?"

The Ronsa smiled at her. "Fighting for something…will be a change. I accept. But you call me Behel. It is name of friendship."

"Then it's settled. You're now my guardian." Belgemine leaned in and hugged the bemused Behel, who stood stationary. "I… not used to affection." she said, shifting uncomfortably. Belgemine offered her apologies and pulled back. "Now I feel complete. I want you… all of you, to join me on the Farplane."

Belgemine had always been fascinated by the Farplane. As a young girl she came to see her mother, the great woman who died when she was only two. Now she was here again, here to ask advice.

Tentatively she stepped through the seal and wandered out to the stone ledge. The scent of the place was amazing. Hundreds of different scents from hundreds of different flowers circulated, giving the air an abnormal sweetness. She felt the heavy hand of Behel clasp her left shoulder. "We must talk later." she whispered into her ear before walking past towards the edge. She dismissed it from her mind for the time being and peered over the ledge to find her mother looking back at her.

"Hello mother."

The figure said nothing. She hadn't expected it to. It was just a memory after all…

"I have resumed my pilgrimage. Father is… well, he is not as pleased as I had hoped he would be. He is disappointed that Auron will not marry me. I know if you were here you would be too, and I'm sorry. I failed you."

The image looked blankly down at her. "I understand mother. You only wanted the best for me. Even though I never really knew you, I appreciate your love for me. Thank you."

Turning she exited the Farplane. How was it that even in the most personal moments in Bevellian life were tainted with formality? Sometimes she wished she could have the same attitude as Averus; care-free, able to do as he pleased…

She exited the Farplane to be met with Behel. "Is there no-one you would like to see?" she asked the mysterious warrior. Behel merely shook her head. "I went there days ago. No need."

She sat herself down next to the Ronsa. "You said we needed to speak."

"Yes. I want you to know truth."

Belle looked at her blankly. "What do you mean the truth?"

"Many year ago, I guard Summoner Franz. We get to Zanarkand to get final Aeon. We discover life has to be sacrificed to receive it. Not just yours, but one of others. At time I too young to sacrifice, but now…" The Ronsa paused and looked at her lady. "Sacrifice me, Belgemine. Trust me."

Belle couldn't get her head around everything the woman had just said. "I… I cant understand! You wish me to… kill you? Why?"

The Ronsa smiled. "You shall see." was her lonely response as they exited and started on the route to Macalania.