Battles we've Fought
By Degone-gin
Chapter 3:
The fire died down and turned to a low glowing red pile of charcoal and heat. Tidus stirred it idly with a stick and listened to the persistent wind move through the grasses above. The rest of the party had all retired, Yuna and Rikku being placed in their bedrolls by their quickly stiffening living pillows. With out Kimahri or Auron around someone else would have to take the fiend watch. Tidus was not tired, exhilarated still from winning the race and not the least worried to death about his mentor. He wondered if there was anything he could do to help out Auron in the future. Other than stealing or borrowing his equipment that is. With a shrug and the optimism of youth he decided to talk to the man in the morning.
A soft padding noise caused the boy to spin and leap to his feet; his Twilight Steel sword clutched in his hand. With he free hand set to whistle the rest awake, he watched as Kimahri and Auron returned to the campsite. Though relieved, Tidus grunted as he sheathed his black blade. The two were complete poster children for Silently Stoic to Silly Extremes! He snorted and walked over to the pair of warriors, careful not to step on anyone or make too much noise.
"Nice of you to join us again." He whispered caustically at the scarlet robed former monk.
"Do not push your luck, boy. I've had an evening." The man gestured with the flat of his hand cutting a horizontal swipe before him. Kimahri wandered over to a slightly elevated spot nearby, his feline face full of deep thoughts and his slightly phosphorescent eyes watching for fiends. He seemed content to let the two humans sort themselves out.
"Whatever, old man. You're just lucky I'm not tired tonight." Tidus paused to smother a yawn.
Auron quirked his eyebrow at the lad, his bloodshot eye peeking over the ever-present blue shades. "I see that." Came the quiet spoken reply from behind the gray collar. "It seems that you need some rest after all. Why not let me take the rest of the watch with Kimahri and you can lay down." The words were couched in a tone that brooked no argument, politely phrased commands.
Tidus was not about to be quelled so easily, he had too much of his father in him, "Look here. I'm not the one who blew a fuse and needed to toss alcohol around." He started in a fierce whisper, trying not to shout at the impossible man. "While you were off communing with your inner demons or whatever you do, Rikku had a breakdown, Wakka and Lulu are at it again and I thank what ever god created Blitzball that Yuna fell asleep long before most of this happened. Now I'm watching for fiends tonight, If you don't mind." He moved to turn away from the red robed guardian, hand falling to his sword's pommel.
Before he could even begin to set his torso on a course to complete the turn, Auron's powerful right hand attached itself to Tidus' collar. In a position very reminiscent of the first time the youth had met Sin, back in his Zanarkand, the captain and star player found himself off the ground a good foot.
"Do I have your COMPLETE attention?" Growled the warrior-monk softly. Auron moved away from the group, back down the path to the gap. After making sure they were far enough, he continued. "What has gotten into you, boy? You stole my equipment and now have the lack of respect to insult me? Don't you ever remember who it is that got you here?"
"Oh Yeah, Thanks." Stated Tidus through clenched teeth. "And while I'm at it, piss off." The youth's blue eyes, normally sparkling with humor had turned steely, trading visual blows with the scarlet warriors single piercing russet eye. "If it wasn't for you, I'd still have a future, at my HOME. Thanks so ever much."
Auron felt his left hand remove itself from its resting place. Only by shear force of his massive will did he stop the blow that screamed to be sent across his charge's angry face. Instead he settled it on his hip, counterbalancing the weight of the boy and taking some pressure off his sore ribcage. "Are you through?" he asked, barely audible in the most dangerous tone anyone had ever heard issue from his gray collar.
Tidus' face scrunched into a very angry continence, his brow furrowed and creased with leashed fury. "No. As a matter of fact, I'm not. Why don't you ever talk to me without hiding? Do you really think I care that your face was torn in two at some point? What are you trying to protect here? Your pride? 'Cuz it's wearing really thin and it's getting old. Look at me with your own damn face for once. And why are you so gung ho to get us all to the end of this? Your pushing yourself past what any sane person would see is a good place to stop. You ever heard the saying that "Sucking chest wounds are nature's way of saying your working too hard"!?"
Auron's eye closed behind his blue sunglasses, as much as he hated to admit it, Tidus was right. He was so used to hiding his face, it was without thought, with out any effort at all. With a growl he dropped the jock and ripped off his shades and collar. Baring his face to his ward for the first time in many years he whispered, "Are you finished, now?"
Tidus took a moment to straighten out his hooded collar and then looked up at his mentor. The pale face before him was hard to place; it had been so long since Auron had consciously removed his shielding equipment. Lately he had even taken to sleeping with his collar on. The scar was harsh, cutting the once open and expressive face. The unshaven cheeks looking sunken and deep and dark bags rested under the russet eye as well as the useless blind side. A permanent crease carved into the space above the large nose spoke volumes about how stressed his friend had become. With in moments, Tidus regretted some of his hastily spoken words.
"Well?" Auron prompted.
Tidus nodded, not trusting his voice. He began a thorough inspection of the warrior-monk's boots. A ruff and callused hand jerked his face back to look upon the unshielded man's face.
"Then listen. The next leg of our journey are harsh, tough and not to be taken lightly. You will be WISHING for the Thunder Plains by the middle of the first morning. For me, I will have crossed this mountain before us for the fifth time; it is the most dangerous part of the pilgrimage. Mount Gagazet will test us more thoroughly than any fiend or spawn of Sin." Auron bored his single eyed gaze into Tidus. "That being said, it is with great reluctance that I put any more time between this part of the journey and it's conclusion."
"But, Auron, we need more time to figure out a way to save Yuna." Tidus replied, " I would think even you would want that?" he looked concerned and wary.
Auron closed his eye for a moment, :: Have I been THAT cold to them that they would think I WANT Yuna to perish? :: He rubbed his face with his gloved right hand and opened his eye to look at Tidus. "No. My goal is not to have Yuna perish. But, it IS to see the death of SIN and the saving of Spira. And if that means she, you, Kimahri or myself have to die, then so be it."
Tidus looked at the man before him with a kind of awe. "We mean so little to you?" He asked in a hurt whisper. "Even me?"
Auron sighed and shook his head; a pained expression mirrored the boy's on his own face. "NO!" He sliced the air with his gloved hand. "I can't explain this so it will make any sense. My aim is to find a way to stop Sin with out losing anyone else. I want this painful cycle of death to end. That is why I didn't truly try to stop you from looking for this 'hidden temple' of Rikku's. Just take the time we have left and continue to look for a solution to your dilemma of saving Yuna while still killing Sin."
The warrior-monk looked down at the youth before him, and relaxed as he saw the comprehension dawn in the blue eyes gazing back. "Now you see what I am doing. Now you know. Leave it be and sleep."
Auron's face started to close, the expressive face falling to it's carved in granite lines. He turned the youth and pushed between Tidus' shoulder blades propelling him back to the camp. Tidus walked as a zombie, confused and too stressed to care. He settled in his bedroll and was asleep before he realized it.
Auron nodded and walked back to his customary spot, adding logs to the glowing bed of coals to start a new fire into being, it was going to be quickly dawn soon and he needed some time to meditate and refresh his body. With a soft sigh he stared into the fire, hoping Jecht would give him some peace for the rest of the night.
Morning was heralded by the appearance of a flock of surprised wild Chocobo. The flightless birds pecked and softly cooed amongst and around the sleeping party. Kimahri stood quickly and caused a minor dust storm and a major stampede as the sun crested the eastern mountains that bordered the Calm Lands. Auron stirred from his blissful nap, he smiled to himself for a moment and then remembered he had removed his collar and glasses for that conversation with Tidus. Quickly locating the comforting items and replacing them he quietly moved to the edge of the camp and waited for the rest to stir. Kimahri nodded to him, as was his custom every morning, letting the scarlet robed warrior know all was well. Auron gauged he had a little bit of time before he needed to put in an appearance and so moved out of sight of the camp. Alone, in the noisy wakening jungle, he stripped off his robe, collar, sunglasses, bracers, and glove. In the coolness of the morning he moved through his morning kata, feeling the muscles stretch and his joints pop. It looked like it was going to be a good morning.
Kimahri watched the tall legendary guardian walk off, and turned an ear to the direction in which the man had strode. He soon could hear the grunts and measured breathing of Auron's first Kata of the day. He turned to he could watch the other slowly wake. Lulu was first, and she had breakfast cooking very quickly after she rose. With a soft expression on her usually blank face, she almost looked happy. Wakka's nose kicked the rest of his body awake as the succulent smells of cooking meat and bread tickled it. He took an extra moment to thank her, and with that simple act seemed to erase what ever had come between them last night. The rest were playfully kicked, punched or shouted awake by the blitzballer. Tidus being the grumpiest until a plate of steaming breakfast was shoved into his waiting hands. It was morning, it was a new day, and exploration was the focus for the group.
Auron, with long practiced timing arrived as the others were just packing everything up. Deciding to walk instead of ride, most of the equipment was stowed on the Chocobo that remained. Rikku happily took the lead again and lead them down the obvious but overgrown path. After they had passed the gap in the rock wall, the group entered a deep jungle. The rest of the party took up a strong defensive tactic, placing Lulu and Yuna in the center of the warriors, Kimahri and Tidus in front, Wakka and Auron taking the rear. With only a few minor Fiend fights they found themselves at the terminus of a very long, very unstable looking robe bridge. Rikku waved from the center of it, not minding in the least that she was hundreds of feet from a very solid valley floor.
"And this is the one that made us pay for rooms in the Thunder Plains." Mumbled Wakka to Auron. " She does realize that if that thing breaks she WILL be killed, ya?"
Auron, working best from his stoic, detached demeanor, wordlessly shrugged.
"Are you COMING? Or what!?" called out the thief, in her element and happy to be exploring. "I can see a building up ahead! I think we're at the temple!" She jumped for joy and almost caused the bridge to flip. With a gasp and a rapidly paling face she ran quickly to the end of the rope bridge.
Tidus hid a very large smile behind a cough and motioned for Kimahri to precede him onto the bridge. The Ronso's ears had laid back at the thought of even touching this rickety construct. The blue furred warrior reached behind his back and dragged out the blitzballer. With a very feral looking grin he set the blonde boy on the beginning of the bridge. With a none too gentle shove; he forced Tidus to walk in front of him across the swaying ancient span. Yuna and Lulu walked across next, Auron watched with a bit of a cynical smile as the Summoner had her Wand ready to summon Valefor. The older man had to admit it was cleaver, he just hoped that if it was needed the bridge was high enough for the time it took to summon the monster. Wakka kept a close eye on the parties back trail and stood lone guard as the warrior-monk lead the skittish pack Chocobo across the long gap.
With little fanfare the summoner's party gathered in front of the large temple. It was covered in vines, the surrounding jungle making definite inroads on the manmade construct. It's fluted towers were now home for birds and the bells that had been within had long since given way to rust and the elements. The door's had been made of a thick metal and held old carvings and symbols. To the left and right small, one-person paths wended their way around to the sides of the rounded temple front. Yuna was curious as to what Fayth was within, as she had acquired the Aeons of flame, ice, thunder, and air. Perhaps at one time this was a temple dedicated to the study of water? Or metal? Who knew, certainly the Al-Bhed who had kept a record of this place did not go near enough to tell what elemental force it was dedicated to.
The young summoner walked up the doors and studied the symbols and carvings while Rikku played with the locks. Auron, Kimahri, and Wakka stood guard at the foot of the steps to the temple doors. Lulu stayed with the pack Chocobo and Tidus wandered down the leftward trail, only to be pestered by one of the monkey-like temple critters and lead to a very large and heavily plumaged Chocobo.
The day continued as the group explored around the Temple until it looked as though they would never gain access to the interior of the ancient building. Tidus had somehow managed to learn that there was another opportunity to race and had moved to the right of the temple. Rikku, not about to be stymied by a simple door lock, attacked the doors with persistent determination. By the time the sun had settled above them and they were about to break for a mid day meal, she crowed and the doors opened before her.
"Welcome to Remiem Temple, Yuna." Stated a familiar female voice from within. Yuna, motioning to her friends to gather with her, mounted the temple steps to face whoever was with in, her staff firmly set to her chest.
A/N: Ok a little short but who can blame me, it's after 2am!
See you all laters and enjoy!
By Degone-gin
Chapter 3:
The fire died down and turned to a low glowing red pile of charcoal and heat. Tidus stirred it idly with a stick and listened to the persistent wind move through the grasses above. The rest of the party had all retired, Yuna and Rikku being placed in their bedrolls by their quickly stiffening living pillows. With out Kimahri or Auron around someone else would have to take the fiend watch. Tidus was not tired, exhilarated still from winning the race and not the least worried to death about his mentor. He wondered if there was anything he could do to help out Auron in the future. Other than stealing or borrowing his equipment that is. With a shrug and the optimism of youth he decided to talk to the man in the morning.
A soft padding noise caused the boy to spin and leap to his feet; his Twilight Steel sword clutched in his hand. With he free hand set to whistle the rest awake, he watched as Kimahri and Auron returned to the campsite. Though relieved, Tidus grunted as he sheathed his black blade. The two were complete poster children for Silently Stoic to Silly Extremes! He snorted and walked over to the pair of warriors, careful not to step on anyone or make too much noise.
"Nice of you to join us again." He whispered caustically at the scarlet robed former monk.
"Do not push your luck, boy. I've had an evening." The man gestured with the flat of his hand cutting a horizontal swipe before him. Kimahri wandered over to a slightly elevated spot nearby, his feline face full of deep thoughts and his slightly phosphorescent eyes watching for fiends. He seemed content to let the two humans sort themselves out.
"Whatever, old man. You're just lucky I'm not tired tonight." Tidus paused to smother a yawn.
Auron quirked his eyebrow at the lad, his bloodshot eye peeking over the ever-present blue shades. "I see that." Came the quiet spoken reply from behind the gray collar. "It seems that you need some rest after all. Why not let me take the rest of the watch with Kimahri and you can lay down." The words were couched in a tone that brooked no argument, politely phrased commands.
Tidus was not about to be quelled so easily, he had too much of his father in him, "Look here. I'm not the one who blew a fuse and needed to toss alcohol around." He started in a fierce whisper, trying not to shout at the impossible man. "While you were off communing with your inner demons or whatever you do, Rikku had a breakdown, Wakka and Lulu are at it again and I thank what ever god created Blitzball that Yuna fell asleep long before most of this happened. Now I'm watching for fiends tonight, If you don't mind." He moved to turn away from the red robed guardian, hand falling to his sword's pommel.
Before he could even begin to set his torso on a course to complete the turn, Auron's powerful right hand attached itself to Tidus' collar. In a position very reminiscent of the first time the youth had met Sin, back in his Zanarkand, the captain and star player found himself off the ground a good foot.
"Do I have your COMPLETE attention?" Growled the warrior-monk softly. Auron moved away from the group, back down the path to the gap. After making sure they were far enough, he continued. "What has gotten into you, boy? You stole my equipment and now have the lack of respect to insult me? Don't you ever remember who it is that got you here?"
"Oh Yeah, Thanks." Stated Tidus through clenched teeth. "And while I'm at it, piss off." The youth's blue eyes, normally sparkling with humor had turned steely, trading visual blows with the scarlet warriors single piercing russet eye. "If it wasn't for you, I'd still have a future, at my HOME. Thanks so ever much."
Auron felt his left hand remove itself from its resting place. Only by shear force of his massive will did he stop the blow that screamed to be sent across his charge's angry face. Instead he settled it on his hip, counterbalancing the weight of the boy and taking some pressure off his sore ribcage. "Are you through?" he asked, barely audible in the most dangerous tone anyone had ever heard issue from his gray collar.
Tidus' face scrunched into a very angry continence, his brow furrowed and creased with leashed fury. "No. As a matter of fact, I'm not. Why don't you ever talk to me without hiding? Do you really think I care that your face was torn in two at some point? What are you trying to protect here? Your pride? 'Cuz it's wearing really thin and it's getting old. Look at me with your own damn face for once. And why are you so gung ho to get us all to the end of this? Your pushing yourself past what any sane person would see is a good place to stop. You ever heard the saying that "Sucking chest wounds are nature's way of saying your working too hard"!?"
Auron's eye closed behind his blue sunglasses, as much as he hated to admit it, Tidus was right. He was so used to hiding his face, it was without thought, with out any effort at all. With a growl he dropped the jock and ripped off his shades and collar. Baring his face to his ward for the first time in many years he whispered, "Are you finished, now?"
Tidus took a moment to straighten out his hooded collar and then looked up at his mentor. The pale face before him was hard to place; it had been so long since Auron had consciously removed his shielding equipment. Lately he had even taken to sleeping with his collar on. The scar was harsh, cutting the once open and expressive face. The unshaven cheeks looking sunken and deep and dark bags rested under the russet eye as well as the useless blind side. A permanent crease carved into the space above the large nose spoke volumes about how stressed his friend had become. With in moments, Tidus regretted some of his hastily spoken words.
"Well?" Auron prompted.
Tidus nodded, not trusting his voice. He began a thorough inspection of the warrior-monk's boots. A ruff and callused hand jerked his face back to look upon the unshielded man's face.
"Then listen. The next leg of our journey are harsh, tough and not to be taken lightly. You will be WISHING for the Thunder Plains by the middle of the first morning. For me, I will have crossed this mountain before us for the fifth time; it is the most dangerous part of the pilgrimage. Mount Gagazet will test us more thoroughly than any fiend or spawn of Sin." Auron bored his single eyed gaze into Tidus. "That being said, it is with great reluctance that I put any more time between this part of the journey and it's conclusion."
"But, Auron, we need more time to figure out a way to save Yuna." Tidus replied, " I would think even you would want that?" he looked concerned and wary.
Auron closed his eye for a moment, :: Have I been THAT cold to them that they would think I WANT Yuna to perish? :: He rubbed his face with his gloved right hand and opened his eye to look at Tidus. "No. My goal is not to have Yuna perish. But, it IS to see the death of SIN and the saving of Spira. And if that means she, you, Kimahri or myself have to die, then so be it."
Tidus looked at the man before him with a kind of awe. "We mean so little to you?" He asked in a hurt whisper. "Even me?"
Auron sighed and shook his head; a pained expression mirrored the boy's on his own face. "NO!" He sliced the air with his gloved hand. "I can't explain this so it will make any sense. My aim is to find a way to stop Sin with out losing anyone else. I want this painful cycle of death to end. That is why I didn't truly try to stop you from looking for this 'hidden temple' of Rikku's. Just take the time we have left and continue to look for a solution to your dilemma of saving Yuna while still killing Sin."
The warrior-monk looked down at the youth before him, and relaxed as he saw the comprehension dawn in the blue eyes gazing back. "Now you see what I am doing. Now you know. Leave it be and sleep."
Auron's face started to close, the expressive face falling to it's carved in granite lines. He turned the youth and pushed between Tidus' shoulder blades propelling him back to the camp. Tidus walked as a zombie, confused and too stressed to care. He settled in his bedroll and was asleep before he realized it.
Auron nodded and walked back to his customary spot, adding logs to the glowing bed of coals to start a new fire into being, it was going to be quickly dawn soon and he needed some time to meditate and refresh his body. With a soft sigh he stared into the fire, hoping Jecht would give him some peace for the rest of the night.
Morning was heralded by the appearance of a flock of surprised wild Chocobo. The flightless birds pecked and softly cooed amongst and around the sleeping party. Kimahri stood quickly and caused a minor dust storm and a major stampede as the sun crested the eastern mountains that bordered the Calm Lands. Auron stirred from his blissful nap, he smiled to himself for a moment and then remembered he had removed his collar and glasses for that conversation with Tidus. Quickly locating the comforting items and replacing them he quietly moved to the edge of the camp and waited for the rest to stir. Kimahri nodded to him, as was his custom every morning, letting the scarlet robed warrior know all was well. Auron gauged he had a little bit of time before he needed to put in an appearance and so moved out of sight of the camp. Alone, in the noisy wakening jungle, he stripped off his robe, collar, sunglasses, bracers, and glove. In the coolness of the morning he moved through his morning kata, feeling the muscles stretch and his joints pop. It looked like it was going to be a good morning.
Kimahri watched the tall legendary guardian walk off, and turned an ear to the direction in which the man had strode. He soon could hear the grunts and measured breathing of Auron's first Kata of the day. He turned to he could watch the other slowly wake. Lulu was first, and she had breakfast cooking very quickly after she rose. With a soft expression on her usually blank face, she almost looked happy. Wakka's nose kicked the rest of his body awake as the succulent smells of cooking meat and bread tickled it. He took an extra moment to thank her, and with that simple act seemed to erase what ever had come between them last night. The rest were playfully kicked, punched or shouted awake by the blitzballer. Tidus being the grumpiest until a plate of steaming breakfast was shoved into his waiting hands. It was morning, it was a new day, and exploration was the focus for the group.
Auron, with long practiced timing arrived as the others were just packing everything up. Deciding to walk instead of ride, most of the equipment was stowed on the Chocobo that remained. Rikku happily took the lead again and lead them down the obvious but overgrown path. After they had passed the gap in the rock wall, the group entered a deep jungle. The rest of the party took up a strong defensive tactic, placing Lulu and Yuna in the center of the warriors, Kimahri and Tidus in front, Wakka and Auron taking the rear. With only a few minor Fiend fights they found themselves at the terminus of a very long, very unstable looking robe bridge. Rikku waved from the center of it, not minding in the least that she was hundreds of feet from a very solid valley floor.
"And this is the one that made us pay for rooms in the Thunder Plains." Mumbled Wakka to Auron. " She does realize that if that thing breaks she WILL be killed, ya?"
Auron, working best from his stoic, detached demeanor, wordlessly shrugged.
"Are you COMING? Or what!?" called out the thief, in her element and happy to be exploring. "I can see a building up ahead! I think we're at the temple!" She jumped for joy and almost caused the bridge to flip. With a gasp and a rapidly paling face she ran quickly to the end of the rope bridge.
Tidus hid a very large smile behind a cough and motioned for Kimahri to precede him onto the bridge. The Ronso's ears had laid back at the thought of even touching this rickety construct. The blue furred warrior reached behind his back and dragged out the blitzballer. With a very feral looking grin he set the blonde boy on the beginning of the bridge. With a none too gentle shove; he forced Tidus to walk in front of him across the swaying ancient span. Yuna and Lulu walked across next, Auron watched with a bit of a cynical smile as the Summoner had her Wand ready to summon Valefor. The older man had to admit it was cleaver, he just hoped that if it was needed the bridge was high enough for the time it took to summon the monster. Wakka kept a close eye on the parties back trail and stood lone guard as the warrior-monk lead the skittish pack Chocobo across the long gap.
With little fanfare the summoner's party gathered in front of the large temple. It was covered in vines, the surrounding jungle making definite inroads on the manmade construct. It's fluted towers were now home for birds and the bells that had been within had long since given way to rust and the elements. The door's had been made of a thick metal and held old carvings and symbols. To the left and right small, one-person paths wended their way around to the sides of the rounded temple front. Yuna was curious as to what Fayth was within, as she had acquired the Aeons of flame, ice, thunder, and air. Perhaps at one time this was a temple dedicated to the study of water? Or metal? Who knew, certainly the Al-Bhed who had kept a record of this place did not go near enough to tell what elemental force it was dedicated to.
The young summoner walked up the doors and studied the symbols and carvings while Rikku played with the locks. Auron, Kimahri, and Wakka stood guard at the foot of the steps to the temple doors. Lulu stayed with the pack Chocobo and Tidus wandered down the leftward trail, only to be pestered by one of the monkey-like temple critters and lead to a very large and heavily plumaged Chocobo.
The day continued as the group explored around the Temple until it looked as though they would never gain access to the interior of the ancient building. Tidus had somehow managed to learn that there was another opportunity to race and had moved to the right of the temple. Rikku, not about to be stymied by a simple door lock, attacked the doors with persistent determination. By the time the sun had settled above them and they were about to break for a mid day meal, she crowed and the doors opened before her.
"Welcome to Remiem Temple, Yuna." Stated a familiar female voice from within. Yuna, motioning to her friends to gather with her, mounted the temple steps to face whoever was with in, her staff firmly set to her chest.
A/N: Ok a little short but who can blame me, it's after 2am!
See you all laters and enjoy!