Ohh… this took me sooo long to write!! Too long, I think. And it's a shorter chapter than my last one! But it seemed so tedious to write it. I think I'm in a writer's block. Especially since that History book we had to do. I can't draw anymore after that… (I made it into a comic book about the Chinese Exclusion Act.) But my History teacher seems to like it. And he said his son likes it. Even though, about halfway through, the coloring starts to consist of lines.
But I digress much too often. I have to stop. Stop talking. I can't. Bah.
Anyways… I think this is a boring chapter. That's my opinion. Maybe it's just cause I'm tired. I think all the Al Bhed in this chapter made me tired. And I've been playing Animal Crossing too much. And I'm pathetic enough to wake up at 7AM to celebrate Groundhog's Day in that game. Sigh… Je n'ai pas un vie. J'ai besoin de vie. (Don't know if that second one's correct or not…)
Kirei na Kanjou
Where am I?
Why am I here?
Was I bad? Do you not want me anymore?
Is that why I'm here?
'Cause if it is, then…
…I'm sorry…
Ku sat up in bed, sweat running down her face. She looked around; the room looked strangely familiar. It was almost identical to the room that had been on the S. S. Liki, apart from being slightly larger and warmer. Someone had carried her to the soft white bed she now laid on, and they had wrapped the blanket tightly around her, constricting her movement.
After a few minutes, she was able to free herself from the blanket's confining grip. The sun shined in from the window onto Ku's face, allowing her to feel a contrasting coldness on her face. She walked over to a dresser on the other side of the room, where a mirror sat.
I'm crying… But why?
Ku wiped the tears away and let the redness from crying fade before journeying up to the deck.
The bright sun shined in Ku's eyes, almost blinding her. Blocking it with one arm, she went to the more open part of the deck. The sight in front of her was even more stunning than Kilika, and brought back several memories. She searched around the boat for a place to view the oncoming town, but could not find a place that wasn't already occupied by another passenger.
"Ku!" Turning around, Ku saw Brother gesturing to her to come over. She complied and walked over to him. He moved over to make room for her. "Easier to see Luca here."
Leaning over, Ku's breath caught in her throat. In a way, it was almost exactly like Zanarkand. More like what Zanarkand would have been without machina, really. The buildings were bigger in Luca than any of the other villages they had seen. Colorful banners were hanging everywhere, celebrating the tournament. Many ships could be seen, docked at multiple ports around the city, and shops lined the crowded streets.
But what really caught Ku's attention was the Blitzball stadium.
It was located in the center of Luca, to allow easy access to everyone. A huge sphere, the playing field, was being filled with water. Bleachers lined the stadium, people already gathered on them to watch the games.
"Reminds me of Zanarkand," Ku said thoughtfully.
Brother faced her and pointed to Luca. "Maybe we find someone you know. You regain your memory."
Ku smiled and walked towards the exit of the ship as it started to dock. She ran onto the gravelly sidewalk of Luca when the boat had stopped and turned to her guardian, shaking her head. "But I really am from Zanarkand, remember? So, of course I'm not going to find anyone here that I know." She laughed and started off towards the blitzball stadium. Behind her, she could hear the Besaid Aurochs and Kilika Beasts being introduced.
"Erg…" Ku clutched at her stomach as it made a sound, audible to everyone within a few yards of her. "I'm so hungry… It feels like I haven't eaten in days!" She looked to Brother, who appeared to be unaffected by her complaints. "Aren't you hungry?"
"E ys icat du hud aydehk," (I am used to not eating,) Brother answered coolly.
Ku sighed. "Dryd ec hud raymdro," (That is not healthy,) she reprimanded. Pointing to a small bar located next to Luca's exit, she said, "Let's stop there for lunch." Without waiting for a reply, she started walking to it.
Ku chose a small table in the corner of the building. She sat and stared at the screen above the counter, which showed food items that could be bought. Suddenly, something else caught her eye.
"Blitzball," Ku muttered, looking at a screen on the back wall. Blitzers throwing the ball and being tackled could be seen. She breathed deeply and turned her attention to the floor. "Just like Zanarkand."
Brother pointed to the bar's exit. "I want to look around."
Ku nodded. "Sure," she said. "Um… is it ok if I stay here a little longer? Just to… watch the rest of the game."
Brother made an approving gesture and walked out the door. He stretched his arms out in the brightness of the sun. He stood on the stone steps of the bar, located next to Luca's exit. In front of him was a large castle-like structure that sat in the center of the large clearing. A few weapon stalls made their home around the town. People were also plentiful, coming from every direction possible. What Brother noticed most was the variety of the spectators; Yevonites, Guados, Ronsos, and even Al Bhed strolled the streets.
I should go visit the Al Bhed Psyches, Brother thought. I did tell them I'd visit if I came to Luca. With that in mind, he walked down one of the open paths to the blitzball stadium.
He stopped in front of the blue counter at the bottom of the stadium. One of the three attendants turned away from her conversation with the other two.
"Would you like to buy a ticket? Or are you registering to play?"
"Where is Al Bhed Psyches locker room?" Brother asked.
"The Al Bhed Psyches?" She looked down at a notebook and ran her finger down the open pages, searching. "Let's see… Ah! Al Bhed Psyches are in the left corridor. Their logo is right on the door. You can't miss it."
Brother nodded and thanked the girl. He went off in the direction she had pointed out to him.
Rikku would like the fish, he thought as he walked through the corridor. Fish tanks lined the walls, allowing people to watch the colorful animals darting by. A pang of homesickness went through him, but he quickly shook it off. Eventually, he found himself facing the Al Bhed Psyches' door.
Knocking loudly on the wooden surface, he shouted, "Rao! Yhouha eh drana?" (Hey! Anyone in there?)
An equally loud answer came from the other side of the door. "Fru ec ed?" (Who is it?)
"Ed ec Brother! Oui dumt sa du jeced oui!" (It is Brother! You told me to visit you!)
The door swung open with a squeak, revealing Berrik, the captain of the team. "Brother!" he yelled, leading him into the locker room. "Fryd yna oui tuehk rana?" (What are you doing here?)
"E ys rana fedr y Summoner." (I am here with a Summoner.)
Berrik gave a puzzled look to the other. "Y Summoner? E druikrd Cid fyc ykyehcd bemknesykac." (A Summoner? I thought Cid was against pilgrimages.)
"E tet duu," (I did too,) Brother replied, scratching the back of his head. "Pid E drehg Vydran drehgc cra ec tevvanahd." (But I think Father thinks she is different.)
"Ruf?" (How?) Blappa, another member of the team piped up.
Brother paused for a moment, wary as to whether he should give the information he was about to reveal. Finally, he said quietly, "Cra cissuhat Leviathan. Vydran cyoc cra fyc lrucah..." (She summoned Leviathan. Father says she was chosen…) He grinned. "Pacetac, E tu hud drehg ed ec buccepma du cdub ran vnus kuehk uh dra bemknesyka." (Besides, I do not think it is possible to stop her from going on the pilgrimage.)
"Fa raynt ypuid ran, nekrd, Berrik?" (We heard about her, right, Berrik?) Nimrook asked from his position on the bench.
"Oayr!" Berrik replied. "Cusa byccehk Al Bhed dumt ic ypuid ran. Drao cyo cra lmyesc du pa vnus Zanarkand?" (Some passing Al Bhed told us about her. They say she claims to be from Zanarkand?)
Brother nodded. "Dryd ec fryd cra cyoc." (That is what she says.)
"Cu," Berrik said, changing the subject, "tu oui mega dra bemknesyka?" (So, do you like the pilgrimage?)
The Al Bhed guardian looked up to the metal ceiling of the locker room, pondering the question. He hadn't really thought about liking the journey; he had always figured it was something he had to do. "Oac, E kiacc E mega ed. Ed ryc paah... ehdanacdehk du caa ymm uv draca bmylac. Yht Ku ec hela." (Yes, I guess I like it. It has been... interesting to see all of these places. And Ku is nice.)
"Oui cruimt dyga ran du y pmedwpymm kysa," (You should take her to a blitzball game,) Berrik said plainly. At the other's blank stare, he continued, "Ev cra cyoc cra ec vnus Zanarkand, cra bnupypmo megac pmedwpymm. Pacetac, ed femm pa vih. Yht oui lyh cdyo fedr ic vun dra hekrd du cyja suhao." (If she says she is from Zanarkand, she probably likes blitzball. Besides, it will be fun. And you can stay with us for the night to save money.)
Brother paused, thinking the offer over. "…Oac, E drehg E femm tu dryd. Dryhgc, Berrik. E femm caa oui ymm mydan." (…Yes, I think I will do that. Thanks, Berrik. I will see you all later.) With one hand on the locker room's doorknob, he waved to the Al Bhed Psyches and left.
Brother stopped for a second time by the stadium's front desk. Should I buy the tickets? I guess it won't hurt…
"Excuse me," the girl from before said. "Can I help you?"
"Yes…" Brother approached the counter. "Two tickets, please."
"Ok, two tickets! That'll be… 200 Gil." He handed her some money, and she smiled. "Thank you! The next match will be the Al Bhed Psyches against the Ronso Fangs."
Brother pocketed the two thin tickets and started back to the bar. Upon entering, he looked around for Ku. She was nowhere to be seen. Where is she? What if something happened to her? he wondered frantically. He shook his head and exited the building. What am I thinking? She probably just went out for a while.
He sat down on a bench, which was by the large statue next to the bar. It overlooked one of the long passages out of the area to the smaller parts of Luca. Soon enough, he saw a familiar figure running to him, long tresses of black hair waving behind her.
"Brother!" Ku shouted, holding a blue object in her hand. "Brother!" She finally reached him and stopped, out of breath. Regaining her energy, she pointed the object in her hand at him.
"Ku?" he said, looking quizzically at her. "Fryd ec dryd?" (What is that?)
The Summoner reached one hand out and stood by the Al Bhed in front of the object. "It's a sphere! The guy at the counter said you could record things on it. So I got one to remember our journey!" She turned back to the sphere. Pointing to herself, she said, "This is me, Ku, and Brother, my first guardian." Ku turned to point at him, then quickly moved the sphere to face the city around them at his scowl. "We're in Luca right now."
Brother leaned down to whisper something into her ear, unseen by the sphere's recording camera. She smiled, then said, "Brother bought some tickets to go watch the blitzball tournament!" She faced her guardian once more. "You might not know it at first, but he's really good at blitzball! In Kilika, he--"
Brother suddenly grabbed the sphere away from her. She was about to protest, when he cut her off. "Ku, ruf silr tet drec lucd?" (Ku, how much did this cost?)
Ku blushed and looked down to the ground, the guilt evident in her face. "Well… I figured we wouldn't need that much money…"
"Ruf silr?" (How much?)
"Ha ha… only 5000 Gil."
She laughed as she saw Brother's face go red, but her laughter soon receded as her guardian chased after her, blue sphere in one hand. Her reflexes were too slow, and soon, she felt the boy's arm wrap around her waist, pulling her to the ground.
"Brother!" she laughed, looking around at the staring people. "This is embarrassing…"
He brushed off his dark pants and reached down to help her up. "Ed ec ouin ufh vyimd." (It is your own fault.)
Ku pouted. "You're not helping." She snatched her hand away from him once she had stood and walked towards the blitzball stadium. "We'd better go find some seats for the game." She started off at a run, the other close behind her.
"Ugh…" Ku muttered, looking around the crowded stadium. "Too many people…" She absently tugged at one of her sleeves, uncomfortable amidst the numerous bodies.
"Ku? You are ok?"
"Yeah…" Ku sighed, not wanting to ruin his generous act. "I just don't really like being around so many people. That's all." Seeing the disappointed look on his face, Ku suddenly found her sleeve to be particularly interesting. "Er… but, thanks. For taking me here, I mean. It's really nice of you."
Instead of responding, Brother entered a filled row with two empty seats in the center. When they sat down, Ku thought about saying something to him, but the playing sphere was already being filled with water. Cheers filled the stadium, and people stood as their favorite teams came out onto the field.
Brother stood as the Al Bhed Psyches swam out and shouted something, though Ku couldn't hear exactly what he had said. She cautiously stood up next to him; she wasn't used to being at blitzball games, much less with someone else. She smiled nervously, not sure what to do. After a few seconds of awkwardness, she sat down with him.
Most of the game was the same; Brother cheering for the Al Bhed Psyches and Ku feeling out of place. She suppressed the urge to run from the stadium like she usually did. At half time, the score was 5-2, the Al Bhed Psyches in the lead.
While they were waiting for the game to start up again, Ku checked her accessory pouch. Reaching inside, she realized that something was missing. She just couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
"Brother!" she abruptly exclaimed. "My money's gone!"
"Oui tet hud cbaht ed ymm uh dryd cbrana?" (You did not spend it all on that sphere?) he questioned.
"No," Ku said. "I'm not that stupid…" She stood up and scanned the stadium. "I think someone stole it!" Her eyes landed on a brunette girl running away with something clenched in her hand. Without a second thought, Ku ran as fast as she could, which was not very fast due to the crowds, out of the stadium.
Ku was outside of the loud stadium. The streets were empty; almost everyone was inside watching the game. There was no girl in sight either.
"Ku, cmuf tufh!" (Ku, slow down!) Brother shouted.
Ku ignored her now resting guardian. She walked rapidly up to a tall blue-furred Ronso standing nearby. He was wearing the orange uniform of the Ronso Fangs, though he wasn't playing in the game. "Excuse me… did you see a girl run by here? Brown hair, maroon shirt…"
The Ronso nodded his large head. "Zev see girl run by. She have money in her hand."
"Yeah, that's her! Which way did she go?"
The Ronso pointed to the ports to the left. "She run there." He paused and placed a hand on a double-bladed axe to his side. "Why does Lady Summoner what to find her?"
Ku eyed the axe wearily. "She stole my money…"
"She is thief?!" The Ronso seemed outraged, and Ku backed away instinctively at his outburst. "Zev Ronso is guard of Luca! Zev join you to help catch thief!" He ran in the direction he had seen the girl go to before. Ku motioned to Brother to follow, and they ran to catch up to Zev.
Zev was strangely agile for a Ronso, so he easily caught up to thief. His two companions were not so lucky, and were running a few yards behind him. Waving his axe threateningly, Zev shouted, "Zev catch thief! Zev get money back!"
The brunette thief looked behind her quickly, most of her face covered by a beige handkerchief. She smiled behind the cloth; they would never catch her. The ports were designed in a circular pattern, and she could easily stay out of grasp. She was sure that her pursuers would eventually tire.
"This isn't getting us anywhere!" Ku said, out of breath. "We've got to find another way to do this…"
Brother stopped, breathing heavily. They had already run laps around the stadium, and it was more than he could take. "Oac, fa haat du drehg ib y haf bmyh." (Yes, we need to think up a new plan.)
"Well," Ku pondered, taking a glance at her surroundings. "What can we do?" Both Summoner and guardian stood in silence as they thought.
"Draca bundc yna ynnyhkat ynuiht dra cdyteis, nekrd?" (These ports are arranged around the stadium, right?) Brother asked. "Mega y lenlma?" (Like a circle?)
"Yeah… and Zev's still chasing that girl…"
"Cu drao fuimt lusa pylg ynuiht rana ajahdiymmo, nekrd?"
Ku raised her fist to the sky triumphantly. "Yes! So if we just go around the other way, we should be able to cut her off!"
Brother gave a slight nod to the other, then walked in the opposite direction Zev Ronso had gone. With Ku behind him, he started to run, until he saw a flailing shape that was easily recognizable. The thief, realizing that she was trapped, drew out a dagger from a sheath at her side. The others revealed their weapons as well, which caused the thief to shudder.
"Look," Ku compromised, "If you'll just give back the money you stole, we can forget about this whole thing."
The girl's reply was a forceful shake of her head. She brandished her dagger, letting its sharp blade catch the rays of the sun.
Ku gripped her scythe tightly and prepared for the inevitable battle. Just as she was about to run forward, she felt a rough calloused hand grab her wrist. She spun around, only to face a warrior monk.
The monk's face was covered by a violet cloth that hung from behind his ears. The rest of his body was clothed in a similar material, acting as a long robe. "Summoner Ku," he stated, his gravelly voice intimidating. "The Lord Okhan has ordered your arrest. You will come with me."
Ku shook his hand off and backed away, holding her scythe before her. "Why would he want my arrest?"
"That is not for you to ask," the monk said, taking a machina rifle out from his robes. "However, if you must know, it is because you have broken many of Yevon's laws. Not only are you keeping the company of a heathen,"-he shot a look at Brother-"but you are using the power of a forbidden Aeon."
"Hey!" All four of the others turned to face the thief. "That's a pretty lame reason to arrest someone! I mean, just 'cause they want to be a little different? You're gonna arrest her?"
Zev nodded. "Zev agrees. No reason for arrest."
The man was outraged. "You all dare to defy Yevon?!" He held his rifle up. "Then you are all traitors!"
Brother used this chance to take Ku by the wrist and pull her back away from the warrior monk. The monk turned to the Al Bhed, rifle ready, and fired. Brother groaned as the bullet hit his shoulder, and grabbed the wound. Ku ran to help him, and the thief glared at the attacking monk.
She unhooked a small oval-shaped object from her belt, pulled a trigger on the object, and threw it to the ground in front of the monk. "Hate to do this to ya…" She smiled mischievously as the thrown object filled the area with smoke. Motioning to the others to follow, she ran off to the entrance of the blitzball stadium.
When they were out of the monk's sight, the thief held her hand above Brother's bleeding wound and quickly mumbled something. Ku watched, amazed, as the wound seemed to close up by itself, and she made a mental note to learn how to do that. The thief proceeded to throw the stolen pouch of money on the ground in front of her three pursuers. "Here's the money. Guess I'll be leavin' now." She turned to go, but was stopped by Ku.
"Wait!" Ku said. "I, uh… want to thank you for helping us with the warrior monk and everything." She saw the cloth covering the girl's face move slightly, probably from a grin.
"Yeah, well, you're welcome," the girl replied. "Now Yevon's probably gonna be after me…"
Ku pulled her sleeve nervously as a thought popped into her head. "Why don't you come with us?"
"What?"
"I mean… You did help us. And Yevon's after all of us now. You too, Zev." She held out a hand to him.
Brother nodded. "You be Ku's guardians. More help on pilgrimage is better."
Zev took Ku's outstretched hand. He attempted an unsuccessful smile. "Zev Ronso be honored to join Summoner Ku."
All three turned to the thief. "Well?" Ku asked.
"Geez," the other moaned. "You sure know how to put the pressure on someone, huh?" She grinned widely. "If you want me on your team that badly, I guess I gotta join, right? I'm Shuu, by the way." She unlatched one side of her mask, showing her face.
"Shuu, Zev," Ku started, facing each guardian respectively, "It's nice to have you on the pilgrimage." She looked up to face the falling sun, darkness beginning to set onto the city. "It's getting pretty late. Why don't we all meet at the entrance of Mi'ihen Highroad tomorrow morning? Around six?"
The two latest guardians nodded. "See ya then!" Shuu shouted, waving as she ran off through the exiting crowds of people. Zev acknowledged his new Summoner and walked away as well.
"Alright then," Ku said to Brother. "Is there an inn here?"
"I know Al Bhed Psyches," he answered. "They will let us stay with them. It is cheaper."
Ku laughed quietly. "That's probably better… we don't really have much money left…"
They started to walk towards the Al Bhed Psyches locker room, when Ku stopped in the corridor leading to the room. It had almost slipped her mind completely, and now she almost didn't want to tell him. But, she knew it had to be done. "Um… Brother?"
He hadn't noticed her stop before, and was surprised to see her staring at the swimming fish around them. "Fryd?" (What?)
She paused, still fighting herself about the matter. "…You should stay here."
"Fryd?" he repeated. Out here in the corridor? he thought confusedly.
"You should stay here. In Luca, I mean."
He still didn't understand what she was trying to say. "Fro? Fryd yna oui cyoehk?" (Why? What are you saying?)
She looked at his face, but turned away, unable to meet his fierce gaze. "I don't want to force you to do this pilgrimage. Why don't you stay here with the Al Bhed Psyches? Being with your friends, watching blitzball all day… able to go anywhere without worrying… that sounds good, doesn't it?" She watched a group of bright yellow fish swim by.
"Fro cruimt E mayja? Oui haat du pa bnudaldat!" (Why should I leave? You need to be protected!) He walked briskly to her and grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at him.
She clenched her eyes shut and turned her head. "That warrior monk today… all he really wanted was me, right? But you got hurt trying to protect me. I don't want others to be hurt because of me…"
"Dryd ec zicd suna naycuh vun sa du ramb oui!" (That is just more reason for me to help you!)
"No!" She pushed herself away from his grasp. "I have other guardians now, Brother. Shuu and Zev, they can protect me now. I… I don't need you." She stared again at the school of fish beside her.
"Veha..." (Fine…) he spat. "E femm mayja oui ev oui fyhd sa du dryd pytmo! Yht oui lyh veht cusafrana amca du cdyo!" (I will leave you if you want me to that badly! And you can find somewhere else to stay!)
They both halted abruptly as the Al Bhed locker room door opened. "Fru ec drana?" (Who is there?) a voice called. Berrik stuck his head out of the doorframe, and Ku recognized him as the one who had hit her with a blitzball in Home. "Brother! E tet hud nalukhewa ouin juela! Yht drec sicd pa Ku." (Brother! I did not recognize your voice! And this must be Ku.)
"Ku ryc taletat du cdyo yd dra ehh," (Ku has decided to stay at the inn,) Brother said coldly.
Berrik nodded. "Dryd ec veha. Ev oui lryhka ouin seht, oui lyh ymfyoc cdyo fedr ic." (That is fine. If you change your mind, you can always stay with us.) To his friend, he said, "Lusa eh frah oui fyhd, ug?" (Come in when you want, ok?) His head disappeared back inside, and the door closed behind him.
"E tu hud ihtancdyht oui, Ku, pid ed tuac hud syddan yhosuna." (I do not understand you, Ku, but it does not matter anymore.) He started to open the locker room door.
"Brother…" Ku said sadly, still not facing him. "You might not understand now. But if you ever have someone die for you… then you'd understand…"
He muttered something under his breath, rolling his eyes. He entered the door, welcomed by the cheers of the team, and slammed it closed.
Ku turned back to the fish beside her. A single blue fish swam out from the center of the yellow group. She placed a finger on the icy-cold glass and traced the haphazard path of the misfit fish. "You would understand, wouldn't you?" She faced the closed door as laughter emitted from inside. "…Goodbye…"
It's over. Finally. Yay.
I need sleep. I'm tired. I probably won't go to sleep for another hour or so though…
Hitotsu Dake is a really nice song… It's from Card Captor Sakura! It's cute, in a sad kind of way. That has nothing to do with this. Well, it was nice to listen to while I wrote the last part. ^^
The next chapter will hopefully be written a little quicker than this one… ^^;;
