Another chapter, finally. It's taken me a while, but at least it's done. My chapters will probably stay fairly short.

I changed Ku's character design… the hair and stuff, I mean. If you actually saw my pic of her, it wasn't that good… so I'm gonna draw a new one that's more accurate. And it'll be one that I like. I think I'm going to have Ku cut her hair, just because I think short hair suits her better. Though I doubt any of you actually care… ^^

I procrastinate too much. I have to do my homework after this…


Kirei na Kanjou

Ku stretched her arms out in the Besaidian sun, still hot even when setting. She suppressed a yawn with her hand and soaked up the warmth emitting from the sun. Brother stood beside her as usual, his calm demeanor unwavering. The two had just gotten back out of the Cloister of Trials and into Besaid Village.

"We rest?" Brother asked as he turned to her. "It… is late."

Ku shook her head. "I want to look around the village a little first," she said. "We have to find a way off of the island anyways. Then we can rest." She walked down the stone steps onto the grassy land, towards the shop next to the Summoning platform. Turning to her guardian, she motioned for him to come over. They entered the shop.

A young woman behind the counter greeted them. She wore a long sleeveless yellow dress with a white pattern lining the sides. "Hello!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Can I help you?"

Ku fingered a small glass bottle that held a liquid tinged with blue. "Yes," she said. "We need some supplies for our pilgrimage."

The shopkeeper clapped in delight. "I think we have just what you're looking for!" She pointed to the item Ku was holding. "That's a Potion, which I highly recommend for your journey. They recover fatigue, you know? But sleep is a much better remedy if you're really tired!" She picked up another bottle with a reddish-orange feather inside. "This is a Phoenix Down. You'll definitely need this! It heals just about any wound, no matter how bad it is! Some people say it can revive the dead, even!" She eagerly handed the bottle to Brother. "Hmm…" She took a third bottle from the shelf behind her. "This is an Antidote!" She shook the green bottle excitedly. "You'll need this for sure," she said gravely. Then, in a burst of enthusiasm, "Lord Ochu'll poison you for sure! So buy it! Very useful in Kilika, I'm sure of it!"

Ku looked at the three bottles sitting on the counter in front of her. "I'll take… five Potions, two Antidotes, and two Phoenix Downs."

The woman nodded quickly and whipped around to grab the required items for the Summoner. She placed all nine bottles on the wooden counter in one rapid movement. "That'll be 550 Gil!"

"Gil?" Ku asked.

"That's the money, you know? You can get them from the monsters around here and everywhere else. Not really sure where they get it from… You do have some, right?"

"Oh, right." Ku fumbled through the accessory bag at her side. They had picked up some Gil from the fiends around Besaid. Ku, unfamiliar with the currency in Spira, slowly picked out a few of the shiny gold coins, hoping it was the right amount. "Here." She dropped them into the woman's outstretched hand.

Quickly counting the coins, the shopkeeper smiled and pushed the bottles to Ku. "Alrighty! Here you go! Have a nice day!" She started searching for something behind her, and Ku and Brother left.

The sun had almost completely set, and a huge bonfire was lit on the Summoning Circle. Many villagers were standing around, talking to friends or discussing the tasks of the day.

"So," Ku said, facing Brother, "we just have to find a way to Kilika." She looked around to the surrounding people and saw a recognizable face. "Maybe Yuna'll know."

As they approached the young Summoner-in-training, some of the citizens around her spat insults at the Al Bhed guardian.

"You heathen!" an old woman croaked. "Stay away from Lady Yuna!"

A little girl ran up to them. "You're a bad man!" she shouted as she pointed to Brother, and then ran back to the others.

Yuna stood up and shook her head at the villagers. She started to walk towards Ku and Brother. "Sorry about that, again…"

Ku, like before, waved it off. "Don't worry about it." She patted her guardian on the shoulder. "He's probably used to it." Brother simply nodded. "Oh, Yuna, there's something we'd like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Do you know a way off of the island? To Kilika?"

"Let me think," Yuna said thoughtfully. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, there's a blitzball tournament in Luca, isn't there? A ship will be leaving tomorrow from the dock." She pointed to the entrance of Besaid Village. "Wakka and the other Besaid Aurochs will be on that ship. It stops at Kilika first, and you can switch to the S. S. Winno there. That one goes to Luca."

"We could take that," Ku said, nodding. She turned back to Yuna. "Thanks, Yuna!"

Yuna laughed and bowed. "You should probably get some rest. The Crusaders Lodge is right next to the temple. You can sleep there." She pointed to a long blue tent and gave the Summoner and the guardian a prayer gesture. "I wish you luck on your journey."

Ku returned the action, then turned to Brother. "I guess we should go…" They walked to the lodge recommended by Yuna and entered.

"Hello," said the innkeeper. "Would you like to stay for the night?" His eyes wandered to the boy standing behind the Summoner. "A-An Al Bhed! Lady Summoner? Why are you keeping company with someone like him?!" He frantically looked back and forth between the Summoner and the guardian.

"This Al Bhed is my guardian," Ku answered. "We would like a place to stay for the night." Her hands gripped the edge of the counter.

"I will not allow an Al Bhed to stay at this inn!" the man said firmly. He slammed his hand against the countertop, making Ku flinch.

"Come now," a voice interrupted. "This is the Crusaders Lodge. All are welcome. Including Al Bhed." The last part was emphasized.

A red haired man wearing some kind of battle uniform walked to the group. Another followed him, this man a brunette wearing a similar uniform.

"My name is Luzzu," the red-headed one introduced. "And this,"-he motioned to the other-"is Gatta. I'm sorry for the inconvenience the innkeeper has caused you, Lady Summoner. You can stay here as long as you wish."

"B-but, Luzzu!" the innkeeper stuttered. "He is-"

"A person just like anyone else who comes here," Luzzu finished. "I think us Crusaders should have a say in who stays at our lodge."

"Um," Ku said uncertainly, "A Crusader?"

"Hmm?" Luzzu looked at her oddly. "You must know what a Crusader is."

She tried out the excuse that Cid had told her of. "I… got near Sin. I haven't fully recovered yet."

"Ah." He performed the prayer gesture. "Let us pray to Yevon that you get well quickly. As for your previous question-"

"Luzzu, sir!" Gatta shouted. "Please let me explain to them." At Luzzu's approval, he continued, "We Crusaders have been fighting Sin for thousands of years. Our sole purpose is to defeat Sin!" He raised a fist to his chest in salute.

Luzzu nodded. "Unfortunately, we have not succeeded… There is a new operation in planning right now. It will be our biggest attack yet. I am afraid that I cannot tell you about it…" He paused and looked at the exit of the inn. "Ah, Gatta, we must go. If you'll excuse us, Lady Summoner, we must leave now. I wish you well on your journey." He and Gatta walked swiftly out the door.

"Uh," the innkeeper muttered hesitantly, "The beds are in the back. Please enjoy your stay." He turned his back to them, shaking his head.

"Well," Ku said, making her way to the back of the lodge, "I guess we'd better get some rest."

"Yes," Brother replied. He chose a small bed in the back and pressed its soft mattress down. Looking satisfied, he got into the bed. Ku did the same to the bed next to his.

"Good night," she mumbled as she closed her eyes.

Some calm breaths were her only reply.


I hate that ending. So… dull. Oh well. It'll work for now. ^^;;

Aah… memories of the kind people of Besaid. Always screaming insults at you and everything. Highly entertaining.

The Besaid shopkeeper sounds like someone from Harvest Moon. ^^

Arg, it's 8:30. I have to write about my 'Favorite Place' now. I don't have one. I think I'll just write about my room. I feel really boring, everyone else had some kind of swamp or garden or something as their favorite place. I have a room. Or maybe the spot in front of the TV that my PS2 is hooked up to. ^^