Challenge
By kimetara
9th In-game POV
Well. It was...interesting, to speak with a fayth, but not exactly enlightening. What Valefor's fayth told us was cross between the obvious and cryptic.
It did, however, catch my attention that the fayth seemed to be speaking to Tidus more than any of us. Even more than to Yuna. Strange.
At any rate, we are looking around Besaid now, seeing how the village has been while we were gone. Not much has changed. They never do. In one hour, we will board the airship and be on our way. All our training and traveling will hopefully span only three days.
The group has split up. Wakka went to check on the Aurochs, and Rikku went with him to enjoy the beach. Yuna and Kimahri are in the temple. Tidus is at the Crusaders lodge, and I...am at the little overhang. It's a pretty place, shrouded by greenery. Beneath me is a pool of water; one of Wakka's favorite ways of reaching the island. From what I've been told, he pushed Tidus in the first time the blitzer washed up on the beach.
I'm sitting on the edge, my legs dangling over the side. My Onion Knight is wandering beside me, poking things with its fuzzy sword. I love it, which is good, considering the headache I had getting it.
"Don't fall in."
I gasp and reflexively whip my head around at the abrupt voice. Unfortunately, the motion imbalances me and despite the warning, I topple over the side...but not before I catch a glimpse of crimson. The water closes over my head, and as I sink, there's a small splash in the ripples I've created, and my Onion Knight swims over to me. I grin at it and wave my hand slightly. Time for a little payback, hmm?
Auron lifted an eyebrow as he peered over the ledge. The little plush toy had jumped in after its master, and he was now waiting for Lulu to emerge from the water's surface – furious and ranting at him, no doubt.
However, as time passed he grew more and more uneasy. That dress did seem awfully heavy, and with all those belts and metal buckles... The Onion Knight floated to the surface, and Auron swore under his breath before diving in after her.
I'm almost beginning to think I'll have to give it up, since the air in my lungs is about to wear out, when I finally see him swimming over to me. I manage to keep the smirk off my face and pretend to be slowly sinking into the water, my body loose and weightless, my long braids floating around me.
He wraps an arm around my waist roughly and pulls me to the surface. I'm about to let go, but decide to hold out just a little longer, my eyes closed and neck relaxed.
"Damn woman...why do you wear that dress anyway...?" I hear him mutter. I can feel his fingers flitting over my face, checking for breath. "Besides practically drowning you it's distracting..."
"Is it?" I ask. I would have loved to hear more, but I had to breathe, and I drink the air in greedily. "And by the way, thank you for the heroic rescue."
He simply stares at me, then abruptly lets go of my waist. I flounder for a second before treading water. I can't help the grin on my face.
"Why you little...!" he growls at me angrily. I smirk.
"Payback. You know you meant for me to fall in," I inform him lazily, lifting a hand to move my bangs. The feel of wet hair on skin is slightly aggravating.
I motion with my hand, and my Onion Knight swims over – after giving Auron a poke in the ribs. He scowls at my doll, and it just waves its little weapon in his face. I have to stifle my laughter as I gather it in my arms. "Come now, Auron," I address him, "you didn't really think I couldn't swim? I did grow up on this beach, after all."
He shakes his head. "I didn't think you could hold your breath for so long."
"Wakka taught me." It still amazed me, how blitzball players could hold their breath for a full five minutes – and still play the sport as well. I could barely manage four, and that's without moving and using up valuable oxygen. "Impressed?"
"Very." A reluctant grin is tugging his features, I know it. "I underestimated you. Sorry."
"Apology accepted." I lean back in the water, floating. "Now, what was that about my dress?"
He only shakes his head. "Wretch." He starts swimming towards the shore.
Oh, so that's how it is, hmm? I raise an arm, and a small wave sweeps over him, dragging him under and back here.
Auron breaks the surface five feet away from me, coughing and wiping water from his face.
"You shouldn't call a lady names," I tease, swimming over slowly.
"Hmph." He glares at me. "Are you going to let me pass or not?"
"That depends." Sad to say, I'm enjoying this. It's fun, riling him up, and I grin mischievously. "What about my dress?"
He growls. "Don't be childish."
"Why not?" I swim a little closer. Now he's only a foot away from me. I wonder where he got that tear in his coat? "Tidus was childish, and it quite possibly saved all of us. What's the harm in giving in a little bit?"
"This pilgrimage is not over yet."
I exhale, crossing my arms. "Don't start on that, Auron. You were the one that startled me into falling in," I snap. This is beginning to annoy me. What's wrong with my dress?
"My mistake." I notice now that he's forced to use his right hand to keep him afloat. Obviously he never learned to eggbeater, as I was doing now. He must be tiring, especially with that overly large sword strapped to his back.
I sigh and shake my head. "Fine," I bite out, before diving and swimming away underwater. A few of the barracudas try to stop me, but some Water spells disrupt the current pattern enough to keep them away. It's good I've become so much stronger in my art, or else I might have truly been in trouble – there's a reason Tidus, Wakka, and Rikku are our water fighters.
When I break the surface for air, he's swimming next to me, apparently waiting. We finish the swim silently, and climb out of the cove likewise. I wring the water from my braids and summon a small Fire spell – summon, not cast. The heat of the restrained spell flows through my body, drying my clothes.
"Isn't that dangerous?" I don't even glance up, focusing instead on rearranging my dress. It's still damp, but in the Besaid sun should dry it fairly quickly.
"For the inexperienced," I reply coolly. "It takes a large amount of control and precision. Otherwise, the blood and body could overheat and cause serious injury." I shut my mouth now. I didn't need to explain things to him.
"You're angry."
"Congratulations, Sir Auron" is my sarcastic response as I bend down to fix the belts. My somewhat bangs fall over my face. The hair is wet, and slightly stringy. I'll have to redo it all later.
"It's distracting because of what it...shows," he tells me slowly. I blink.
My dress? "...I didn't know you were like that, Sir Auron," I say, rising slowly.
He crosses his arms. "You asked, I answered," he snaps. "And drop that absurd title. I get enough of it from Yuna and Wakka."
"Very well." I move forward, and he follows me.
Once at the statue of prayer, I stop and sit down, and my Onion Knight sits next to me. Auron comes and stands next to me, gazing at some unseen point. "Is there something you want?" I ask at last, becoming unnerved by his unwavering presence.
"Yes."
Unusual, but not unexpected. "What is it?"
He doesn't move. "You know, I was almost disappointed you were breathing when I pulled you out of the water."
I stand up, outraged. "What do you mean by that? Did you want me to be dead?" I demand, my eyes burning with rage.
"Of course not." He whirls around to face me, his own brows furrowed in anger. "Do I have to spell it out for you? I thought you were observant."
"Obviously not observant enough," I seethe, placing my hands on my hips. "What-"
I'm silenced by his lips on mine. Gentle, hesitant...my hand reaches up to grab his coat the same moment he pulls away.
"I was disappointed I didn't have the opportunity to do that."
I open my mouth, then close it and stare, my bewildered brain trying to work. "Auron..."
"Nevermind." He strides away abruptly, and I'm shocked into motion. I run forward and grab his shoulder, and he stops, but doesn't turn.
Great job, Lulu. Now what? On a burst of inspiration, I wrap my arms around his waist and twine my fingers together, leaning my head against his back and closing my eyes. He stiffens, then relaxes and places a hand on top of my clasped ones.
I could fall asleep here, the warm sun falling down on us, leaning against his strong, firm body. Mmmhmm...
"Lulu." He pulls out of my embrace and turns around to face me. "I'm sorry. Forget this."
I tilt my head to the side, pushing my hurt down for now. "Why?"
He looks away. "You'll know in time," he says to me, then walks away.
I close my eyes and drop to the ground. My Onion Knight crawls into my lap, and I hug it fiercely.
AN: Almost done...