Author's Note: Again, FFX belongs to Square and "Volcano" belongs to Damien Rice. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks for the review Saranomy. I'm glad you liked it.
"And what I am to you
Is not real
And what I am to you
You do not need
And what I am to you
Is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I ask for the sea"
Damien Rice "Volcano"
Chapter Three:
True to her words, the next morning, Auron found himself besieged by the citizens of Kilika. Kaeli was no where in sight and Auron had to endure the congratulations and questions by himself. It was towards the afternoon when a red airship landed by the beach where Auron first met Kaeli. Auron saw the ship landing from the inn. He could only suspect who the ship belonged to. He wasn't sure how he would feel seeing his former Summoner and guardians, but there was no time to examine his feelings. He looked up at the inn and briefly wondered which room Kaeli was in when he heard in the distance, "Auron!?!?" Auron took a deep breath and he could see a bouncing figure moving towards him. As the figure got closer, he could see that it was Rikku. Ever exuberant, Auron could see that the young Al Bhed hadn't change in two years. Following Rikku was Yuna, the Great Summoner. The daughter of Lord Braska, Auron felt a sense of responsibility towards her; a responsibility he had fulfilled. The two girls rushed towards Auron until they were standing face to face with each other.
"Sir Auron," Yuna said, staring at Auron, "I didn't believe it. There were rumors, but..."
"Yea! You're really back aren't you?" the young Al Bhed woman said. She poked at him, he waved her hand away, "Yup, same old self." She threw her arms around Auron and gave him a hug. He just stood there and looked down at the blonde head.
"It really is you," whispered the brunette, "You really are back." Auron looked at Yuna's face and saw the tears coming down her cheeks.
"Enough," Auron said, extracting himself from Rikku's embrace. "There is no need for tears." Auron looked at the two girls...no, young ladies, in front of him. "I am back..." Auron looked past Yuna and Rikku, "At least, I think I am. I don't really know what's going on."
Rikku gasped, "The great Sir Auron doesn't know?! What is going on?"
Yuna giggled, "Stop it Rikku." She turned to Auron, "I wonder why you are here." She hesitated, "Are you the only one here?" Auron looked at Yuna with some confusion until he realized what she was asking. He looked at the young lady, remembering her pilgrimage to follow her father's footsteps. Auron said quietly, "I'm the only one. At least to my knowledge." He could see Yuna nodding, the light behind her blue and green eyes dimming slightly. Then it brighten up.
"I'm glad you are here Sir Auron," she reached and gave Auron a hug. Auron returned the embrace.
"Hey!" Rikku exclaimed. "I wonder if you being here have something to do with the sphere."
Auron once again broke the embrace, "What sphere?" he asked.
"Kimahri found this sphere near Mt. Gagazet," Rikku explained, "You have to see it. Hey! Perhaps you will have a few answers for us since you've been to Zanarkand."
"Yes, Sir Auron. The sphere is on the ship. You should come with us. The sphere...well, you have to see it."
Auron nodded. He knew he couldn't stay at the inn forever. Yet, he didn't know what to do with his life, and it was beginning to seem like he had a life. Before, he was a devote Yevonite, a monk even. He became a guardian and after Braska's pilgrimage, he was given a duty. He fulfilled it. Now, well now...it seemed like something was going on. The mysterious sphere, and his own mysterious re-arrival, there were many questions, but no answers. He would find them.
"Come on Auron!" Rikku said, "Let's go!" With that, Rikku started pulling on Auron's arm.
"Wait," Auron said. "I have to say goodbye first."
Yuna nodded, "Of course Sir Auron."
Together, they all entered the inn. Auron could see that Sian was beside himself. Rushing towards them, Sian exclaimed, "Welcome! Welcome to my humble inn. First Sir Auron and now Lady Yuna and Lady Rikku! I don't know why I should be so honor by such great presence!" Sian smiled...and smiled.
"Thank you," Auron said. "For having me here." He gestured towards Yuna and Rikku before continuing. "But as you can see, I must leave. You have been an excellent host."
The old man nodded, "Yes, well. Thank you Sir Auron! Thank you!"
Yuna and Rikku both thanked Sian and Sian was beyond happy. They all left the inn together and Auron was thinking if he would see Kaeli again when a voice cried out.
"Auron!" Auron turned around and saw Kaeli walking towards him. He could sense the curiosity stemming from Yuna and Rikku. When Kaeli reached them, she said, "I see your friends are here." Kaeli nodded in the direction of Yuna and Rikku. They just stared at Kaeli inquisitively. "Well," Kaeli said, turning back towards Auron and looking at him in the eyes, "Goodbye then." Auron could see that she was about to head back towards the inn when Auron blurted out, "Do you want to join us?" Now he could really feel the curiosity from Yuna and Rikku bearing down on his back, he was a bit surprised by the invitation too. She did not show any emotions on her face, he could see that she was thinking it over when finally she asked, "Is it alright with your friends?" Auron looked at Yuna and Rikku, Yuna spoke, "Yes, if Sir Auron wishes for you to come, it's fine with us. Right, Rikku?" Rikku nodded, staring at Kaeli, then at Auron, then back at Kaeli again. Kaeli said, "Alright. Let me say goodbye to Sian first." She ran back in the inn.
"Ummm, Auron?" Rikku said. Auron just shook his head. A few minutes later, Kaeli ran back to them. "We can go now," she said. Before they headed off to the direction of the airship, Kaeli said, "My name is Kaeli." Auron felt like smacking his forehead, a gesture Tidus did often. Before he would say anything, Yuna introduced herself and Rikku and said, "It's nice to meet you Kaeli." Kaeli smiled gently and Yuna returned in kind and Auron wondered what he got himself into. Together, they all headed towards the beach.