Chapter 2 (Strife's POV)

It was a few hours until daybreak, I spent that time thinking about the previous few hours. 'Guados killing Al-Bheds. I can't believe there is still such a thing. That's why I left home, because of the killings and the wars.' I looked around the darkened room, the few cracks in the walls provided minimal light from outside, I looked at Rikku who was sleeping on the small bed. "Still sleeping. It's hard to believe that she has gone through all this and still goes on. I've known men who have crumbled under less. Truly, she is a strong person to endure all of this." I said, half to myself. I sat down against the door, "I hope we can reach the town in time, I don't want to see anymore death." I said before closing my eyes.

"Hey! Wakey wakey!" I heard Rikku say. I slowly opened my eyes, she was standing a few inches in front of me with a large smile on her face, "Sleep well?" she asked. I slowly got to my feet, "I guess." I looked out s small broken window, the sun was just beginning to rise, "We should get going." I said. Rikku nodded, "Yeah.. But, can we get something to eat first?" she asked sheepishly. I shrugged then pushed on the door. It refused to open, "Damn, it's rusted shut because of the rain." I said. Rikku shivered a bit, "It's kind of cold in here." she said. I looked back to the door and drew my sword, with one quick slash the door crumbled. Rikku's eyes widened, "Wow! That's a cool sword." She said admiringly. I shealthed my sword and glanced outside, seeing no guados I walked out, Rikku followed. "So about that breakfast.." Rikku began, I sighed, then pulled an apple out of my pack and handed it to her, "This will have to do until we reach Tzen. It's just before the Al-Bhed town." I said. Riku nodded and munched happily on the apple as we walked.

After awhile Rikku began to ask questions, "So Strife, why are you on the road?" she asked. I didn't change my glance, nor my pace, "I'm trying to find a place where there is no war, no killing. I had my family, my friends, and my town taken away from me when I was five. Then I was taken away and used as a weapon for some large soldier operation. I escaped and now I'm on my own... I'm sorry, I've trailed on." I said. Rikku patted me on the shoulder, "Hey no problem! It's okay if you feel a little sad, I mean from what you said.. You've been through a lot." She said. I stopped, then turned to face her, "Are you always so upbeat about everything?" I asked. Rikku smiled, "About most things, yeah." She said. I continued walking, Rikku followed, we reached the top of a large hill. A small town came into view, "There's Tzen, we can rest there." I explained. Rikku nodded then started running down the hill "Race ya!" she called back. I sighed then began walking down the hill.

As I reached about mid-point of the hill Rikku shouted something, I looked down at her. There were two guados in front of her. I broke into a run and slid down beside her. Rikku took a few steps back, One of the guados tried to follow but I held my hand out to block him. Then I realized, it was the two guados from the previous night! "You! So, you hid the girl, that is treason to lie to a high representative of lord Seymour. Although since we're in a hurry, if you turn her over now, I may let your treason go." One said. I laughed slightly, "You must excuse my laugh, because I haven't met such a feeble bluff in such a long time. You know you can't take her as long as I'm around so why not save your own lives and leave her alone." I warned them.

The shorter guado glared at me, "I'll show you feeble!" he yelled running at me, tryng to slash me. Once he was close enough I grabbed his arm, pulled it forward then smashed his arm bone with my elbow, instantly shattering the bone. I tossed the guado back beside his friend. ""Must I say it again? Leave her alone." I said. The other guado smiled then raised a materia gun, "Say goodbye." He said. I shrugged then whipped out my serpents dagger and threw it into the guado's skull. "Goodbye" I said. The other guado stared in disbelief, "You.. You will pay for this insult!" he yelled, then turned and ran away holding his arm. Rikku slowly stepped up beside me as I bent down and picked up my serpent's dagger. "You. you protected me." Rikku said slowly. I cleaned the blood off of my dagger, "it was nothing." I said.

Rikku shook her head, "No it wasn't nothing! You protected me, you're the first person whos ever done that.Why?" she asked. I shrugged, "I said I'd get you to the Al-Bhed town and I will. But as for protecting you.. Well I have my own reasons.. Come on, let's get to Tzen." I said, continuing to the town. "Own reasons huh. well im gonna find out what they are." Rikku said, before running to catch up to me.