Lulu could see the shelter up ahead now. The shelter was nestled neatly in underneath a large lightning rod tower.
"Well, we're not too far behind everyone else," said Auron.
Tidus, Yuna, and Rikku scrambled to meet up with Wakka and Kimahri who had just darted into the shelter. It had started to rain again lightly as if downpour was brewing. Auron glanced down at Lulu and then at the shelter and back at her again. She understood him. She nodded to him. Then all at once they made a dash for the shelter. Just as they had made it under the awning the downpour began.
"Whoa! That was close ya?" chuckled Wakka.  He was snacking on an apple that he had stashed away in his pack.
"Phew! Can't we rest for a few minutes here?" whined Rikku.
Yuna patted her on the arm. "It's ok Rikku, we are gonna rest for a few minutes until the rainfall slows a bit.  Besides Kimahri doesn't like to get wet unless he has too." Yuna started to snicker a bit.  Kimahri stood off to the side a bit. His arms were crossed over his broad and furry chest. He watched Yuna and Rikku intently, off where they stood. He was happy to see her having a little fun, even if it was at his expense.  Yuna was Kimahri's primary concern.  As long as she was safe and happy, he was happy.

Tidus was reclining against the back wall of the shelter. He was humming a tune to himself and staring off into the distance. Yuna glanced over at him slowly. She longed to sit next to him.  She couldn't though.  He looked so peaceful to her just sitting there. She knew he was dreaming of Zanarkand. His Zanarkand. It was a Zanarkand that she could never go to.  She thought back to Guadosalam, where Seymour had shown them the sphere of the great and wondrous machina city, Zanarkand. She had never seen a city more intriguing, or breathtaking. With all the hustle and bustle of people, and the city lights. No wonder Tidus missed Zanarkand so much. Yuna thought back again to Guadosalam.  Maester Seymour had proposed to her.  How was she going to reply to him?  She was a bit flattered. The Maester of Yevon desired her for his bride. She knew she did not love him though. Romantic love was "a luxury that she could not afford", so she thought.  She had chosen her path from childhood. From the day she began her training she knew what her role would be.

Yuna couldn't help but look at Tidus though.  She cared about him, even though she had only known him for a short time.  Their pasts were linked in a way. Sir Jecht was her father's dear friend.  And she remembered him fondly. Yet here sat Sir Jecht's son right here before her.  It was so strange the way things had happened.  She knew Tidus' story was true.  Others may have doubts, but she knew he was the son of Jecht.  But why was he here?  Why now?  Yuna recalled Tidus reaction to Seymour's proposal.  Was he jealous?  Everything was so complicated now.  Yet her path remained the same.  Yuna thought about her duty as a summoner of Spira. Would marrying Seymour really help to unite the people of Spira? She wanted to do what was best for Spira. She knew that no matter what her choice was she had to continue the pilgrimage.  Just then, Tidus sat up a bit.  Slowly he turned to catch her eye. She realized she was still staring. She began to feel a little embarrassed, but she didn't turn away from him. She just met his eyes with hers. She just smiled to him gently and nodded a little hello to him. He smiled to her, looked at her a moment and then simply returned to gazing out upon the horizon.

Auron paced around, deep in thought as usual. He took off his shades just for a moment and proceeded to run his hand through his hair to smooth away the droplets of rain that had accumulated.  He then wiped the shades clean with his shirtsleeve and placed them right back on his face. He paced around a little more as he looked at the ground and sometimes off into the distance.  He settled finally, leaning with his back against a beam that was supporting the awning above. He stood leaning with one leg firmly place on the ground and the other brought up bent at the knee, resting on the beam behind him. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a flask of something and began to sip away at it.  He set his head back on the beam and began to relax just a little.

Yuna proceeded to sit herself down next to Lulu on the bench next to the pillar.  Lulu was fastening some extra charms to her braids. Lu's hair was long, really long.  She almost always kept it in braids. It was far easier to manage that way. Her hair was still lovely though. It was black and shiny like a pearl. Sometimes Yuna envied Lulu for her hair, but after she thought about the maintenance issues she soon cast off her envies. 

Lulu was a believer in charms. She felt that they acted as talismans against fiends.  She had made them from shells and smooth stones that had washed up on the beaches of Besaid. They were beautiful though. Some had feathers of striking colors attached to them. Some were made from leather and smoothed metals. They were gorgeous. Yuna couldn't help but notice how pretty Lu looked while she was fastening her charms.  Yuna looked up at her and smiled a little. Lulu grinned lightly and proceeded to pull a dainty silver charm from her pouch. She then fastened it to Yuna's hair beads.  Lulu and Yuna giggled a little together and started to chit chat a little bit about nothing much. Rikku soon joined Yuna on the bench.


Wakka laughed out loud at the site of the three silly girls.  They were giggling and carrying on. To see Yuna happy and Lu in good mood was refreshing for him.  It was nice to see Yuna, and Lu for that matter, having a little fun for a change, despite the dreary weather. Girls always seem to be able to keep busy. Wakka took another bite from his apple and strode up next to Auron. He was still snickering a bit to himself.

Wakka's presence obviously interrupted Auron's thought processes.
"What's funny?" grumbled Auron.
Wakka turned a little to face Auron.
"Oh nuthin. It is just nice to see them having some good times. The hardest times are still ta come. Ya know? Yuna has hard decisions ta make, soon."
"Yes. This is true. She is strong though, like Braska. " Auron stood up straight now.
"Ya, I know.  I know she can do it.  I wish it could be different ya know, but she will prove to be a great High Summoner.  I just want to see her journey be a happy one. That is why I am trying to remain chipper, ya?  I don't want to burden her.  I think everyone is trying hard.  I mean look…Even Lu is smiling and laughing over there?"

Auron transferred his gaze from Yuna to Lulu.  It was nice to see her smile. She was usually so serious and even melancholy in a way.  To hear her laugh was something fairly rare, she tended to be reserved with her display of emotion.  But she was beautiful. Even Auron could not deny it.  She was a very attractive young woman. Her fair skin was glistening from the moisture in the air. And her jet-black hair flowed all around her. She needed no enhancements. She had eyes that would shame a Sanubian sunset.  She was after all an Enchantress of Spira.  She was captivating.  "No…," thought Auron to himself. "No, no, no. I will not torture myself.  It is vile to continue in this process. She is flesh, and blood.  She deserves the same. I am just another unsent soul." Auron's whole countenance changed. His gaze broke. And he began to pace again, as the downpour continued.