Disclaimer: Nope, Final Fantasy X belongs to Squaresoft. *sobs* However,
original characters (my summoner and her party) belong to me.
This is my first FFX fanfic and reviews are greatly appreciated. I've always thought that Auron was a closet romantic (especially when he was younger), but to reveal it would take so much away from his bad ass demeanor.
Part Two is another "setting the scene" chapter with more background information, but the story is starting to progress, I promise. ^_^
Also, this story will roughly follow the game up until Bevelle, but I won't be writing out each and every scene. The story will contain spoilers, so if you've beaten the game and/or don't care to be surprised, please read on.
Read and enjoy!
"Kiss From a Rose" Part Two
Copyright 2003 by Amie Martin
highlander_bellflower@hotmail.com
*****************************
~Auron--Djose~
Operation Mi'ihen was, needless to say, a disaster.
The mere thought of the incident left a sour taste in my mouth. Countless Crusaders and Al Bhed had given their lives in an attempt to defeat Sin, and the Maesters of Yevon wrote the entire thing off as if it never happened. I had to admire the cause, and the reasoning behind it. I couldn't bear to see another summoner die to bring the Calm, not after what happened to Braska.
But in the end, Yuna's pilgrimage continued on. The surviving Crusaders were scattered along the Djose Highroad, every one regretting their participation, mourning their losses. Yuna, as a summoner, did what she could to help, soothing the living and sending the dead, but the stress was starting to take its toll. She needed--we all needed--a well-deserved rest.
"Hey, Auron," Tidus began, falling into step beside me, "can I talk to you for a second?"
I shrugged. "If you want."
"Have you noticed that Yuna seems . . . worn out? Like she's walking in her sleep?" Tidus fiddled with his necklace, staring down at the ground.
"We're all worn out." Behind my collar, I smirked. It would be just like Tidus to focus only on Yuna, completely and utterly obvious to everything else. "It's been a while since we've had a proper rest, and the travel through the Mi'ihen Highroad and Mushroom Rock as well as Operation Mi'ihen took a great toll, on Yuna especially."
"Then, shouldn't we stop now?"
Shaking my head, I answered, "No. It's easier now for us to head to Djose and rest at the inn there." In spite of myself, I smirked again. "Unless you really want to spend the night here, where more of the former Crusaders can easily approach us."
Tidus made a face. "You've got a point there, Auron. Hey, Wakka!" he called, rushing back to the front of the group, no doubt to talk about blitzball strategy or something equally mundane.
Watching him go, I was glad for the conversation to end. Tidus meant well, to be certain, but I was too weary from lack of rest and strain from battle to have the patience for him. All I wanted was a warm bed to sleep in and silence to go with it.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking and battling fiends, we arrived in the quiet village of Djose. Small animals scurried at my feet, brushing against the hem of my pants, and I tried my best to ignore them. I was glad that at least some things in Spira had remained the same.
As we walked into the center of the village, the rock casing surrounding Djose Temple splintered into large chunks, held together by bonds of lightning. Tidus took a step back, his hand on his longsword, clearly startled.
"What the hell is that?" he asked, bewildered.
Wakka chuckled, and Yuna gave a small smile. Lulu simply shook her head as she explained, "Another summoner is addressing the fayth."
"You mean that building is Djose Temple?" Tidus' grip on his sword loosened.
"Precisely." Lulu turned back to face the temple, her part in the conversation ended.
"We should greet the summoner inside," Yuna suggested, meeting Tidus' gaze.
Agreeing, I said, "Yes, but you should not address the fayth until morning." Seeing the protest in Yuna's eyes, I added, "Receiving the aeon will take a lot out of you, and it is best to be well rested."
Scratching his head, Wakka added, "Sleep sounds good, ya?"
"It's settled, then. We'll say hi to the other summoner and then head back to the inn. Come on, let's go!" Putting away his sword, Tidus all but bounded into the temple. With a hint of a smile on her lips, Yuna was quick to join him. The rest of us followed a few seconds behind, perhaps in acknowledgement of the budding lovers' desire to be alone.
Upon walking into Djose Temple, the memories came back once again . . .
***Flashback***
We entered the temple just as the party was leaving the Cloister of Trials. Katralina walked down the stairway, flanked by Ziletto on her left and Othello on her right. Each brother had an arm around her waist, as if they were afraid to let her go. Corone walked behind the three of them, clasping her twin's staff protectively, a concerned look on her face.
"Hey, Auron, isn't that your summoner-chick girlfriend?" Jecht commented, raising one eyebrow.
I slapped Jecht's arm with my free hand. "This is a place of worship," I said through clenched teeth, "and you would do well to remember that."
Jecht made a sour face, but thankfully said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Braska greeted, "Lady Katralina, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Katralina managed a weak smile; I could see tiredness and weariness written in her sky blue eyes. "As it is ours, Lord Braska," she answered.
"You have already prayed to the fayth, I take it?" Braska waited just beyond the stair, and I remained one step behind him, slightly to his right. It was a proper place for a guardian to be, and besides, it gave me a good look at the black mage summoner who captured all of my attention.
She nodded. "It takes a lot out of me, I'm afraid."
"Exactly. That's why we're taking Kat back to the inn to rest," Corone explained, "only she's being stubborn as usual."
"I am *not* being stubborn." Despite her weakened state, Katralina's comment was sharp and to the point. As she spoke, she went to take the last step off the stairs, but tripped instead pitching forward towards the ground.
Instinct pulled me to jump to help her, but her brothers reached her before I did, holding her while she regained her balance. Jecht barked out a laugh, and Braska smiled.
Smirking, Othello commented, "So, Kat, what was that about not being stubborn?"
A small droplet of sweat traced a line down Katralina's cheek and slender neck. "I hate you," she muttered under her breath.
"You can hate him at the inn." Ziletto's voice was stern; there would be no arguing with him. "Please accept our apologies, Lord Braska, for making such a hasty exit. My sister is in no condition--"
"I hate you, too, Ziletto," Katralina interrupted, in a voice so serious that it made me want to burst out laughing. It took all of my self-control to curb the impulse. "Lord Braska, please feel free to join me at the inn later," Katralina continued, "after you've prayed to the fayth, of course."
"Of course." Braska bowed to her in prayer. "Until then."
"Until then." She nodded in acknowledgement, her arms wrapped around her brothers' shoulders.
I felt more than saw Katralina's gaze upon me as she walked past. Something in her eyes said, "I'll be talking to you later."
She had no idea how much I wanted that to happen . . .
***End Flashback***
I snapped back to reality at the sound of Yuna's voice, as she spoke to the male summoner next to her. His name, I learned, was Isaaru, and his two guardians were his brothers. I was reminded of Katralina and her guardians; the bond of siblings added another layer to a summoner's pilgrimage, another layer of pain at the end of the journey.
Only half listening to the conversation, I overheard Isaaru mention High Summoner Braska as his inspiration, his reason to journey. Braska would have been honored to be such a role model, only he was not alive now to realize his impact. Just one more regret on my ever-growing list . . .
The group was growing fidgety; Tidus' foot was tapping nonstop and Wakka had started tossing his blitzball back and forth. Even the unreadable Kimahri seemed a little anxious to leave the temple. Yuna would rather let Isaaru talk all day than seem rude by interrupting him, but kindness had its limits, and Yuna was only starting to learn that.
So, laying my free hand on Yuna's shoulder, I said quietly, "Yuna, it's time."
Isaaru looked startled, and Yuna smiled with gratitude. "Sir . . . Auron?" he asked. "You are guarding Lady Yuna?"
I nodded curtly, not feeling the need to explain my promise to Braska. "We should be going now."
"Yes, of course." Yuna bowed to Isaaru, who promptly bowed back. "I was glad to make your acquaintance, and I'm sure we'll meet again."
"I'm sure of it, Lady Yuna."
Without another word, I turned and walked out of Djose Temple. Lulu, Wakka, and Kimahri followed; Tidus hung back, I assumed to talk to Yuna. I knew she would be safe with him, Jecht's son and Braska's daughter . . . the picture-perfect portrait of young love. It made me sick.
And it made me think of Katralina.
Sighing to myself, I entered the inn and claimed the first available room as my own. The innkeeper nodded to me, acknowledging me as one of Yuna's guardians, and her silence pleased me. I was sick of the explanations, sick of the lies, sick of it all. Maybe with a well-deserved rest, my patience for life would return.
The room was small but comfortable, with only a bed, chair and end table for furniture. There was a small mirror above the table, but otherwise the walls were bare. It suited my mood and personality perfectly; a warrior monk did not need anything more than the bare essentials.
One by one I removed my bulkier items of clothing. I undid the clasps of my belt and placed it on the chair along with my sake jug, my katana propped against the wall next to the chair. My boots I kicked into a corner, not caring where they landed. I took off my heavy red coat and collar, draping them over the back of the chair. Finally I removed my sunglasses, my last line of defense against the world. Anyone who saw me now would see only a fallen man, not a legendary guardian.
Before lying down in bed, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the small mirror. It was something I often avoided; the graying hair and unshaven face were not qualities of my appearance I particularly admired. But the scar . . . a scarred face for a scarred man. Deep down, it all made sense-- life did have a sense of irony.
Grunting at my image, I laid down, eager to leave this world behind and enter the realm of dreams . . .
***Flashback***
Try as I might, I could not fall asleep.
I tossed and turned in my bed, thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts about the pilgrimage, the black mage summoner, even whether or not Jecht's Zanarkand really existed--I thought about it all. Apparently the same problem plagued neither Braska nor Jecht; Braska slept in silence, while Jecht's snoring could be heard through the walls. It seemed as if I was the only one cursed with a conscience, an overactive mind.
As much as I worried about the pilgrimage, a part of me--a very large part of me, I was starting to realize--centered on Katralina. I couldn't get the image of her out of my mind. The way she looked as she walked down the stairs, the way the sweat glistened along her face and neck, the way she still had grace in a state of weakness . . . she was truly beautiful. And the way she looked at me as she left led me to believe she might feel the same way about me. There was no way for me to be sure, and it was driving me absolutely crazy.
In the darkness, I sat up and put on my boots. Maybe a little walk beneath the stars would be enough to clear my mind and find some peace. I didn't bother to tie my hair back into its customary ponytail, only shrugging into my red coat as I walked out of the room.
The soft crackling of burning wood greeted me as I entered the lobby of the inn, a place I expected to be deserted at this late hour. Someone had started the fireplace, casting a warm glow over the room. I walked cautiously, not knowing who I might find.
She was here, as if she was waiting for me to arrive.
I drew a sharp breath, almost choking on the air, and stumbled into the room.
Katralina looked up from where she sat curled up on the couch by the fire. Her hair was still pulled up, but her black coat was unbuttoned, spread out across her legs like a blanket. She looked less intimidating now, as if the summoner in her had faded away, but no less beautiful. A small, almost timid smile graced her lips as her eyes met mine.
"It's Auron, right?" she asked, her quiet voice almost blending in with the night.
"What?" Flustered, I pulled my coat tighter around me, cursing my sudden lack of communication skills.
Katralina chuckled. "Your name," she repeated. "It's Auron, isn't it? A guardian of Lord Braska?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes, I'm him. Auron. One of Braska's guardians." Vainly I wished my coat had pockets, so I could hide my shaking hands from her sight. "Please forgive my intrusion, Lady--"
She held up a hand to silence me. "Please, don't call me Lady. Not here, now here," Katralina said. "Call me Katralina, or Kat even, I don't mind."
Slowly I inched closer to her, afraid that if I did something wrong she would disappear, fading away like a pleasant dream. "How about I meet you halfway and call you Katra?"
It was a weak attempt at a joke, and I hadn't expected her to take it seriously, but the smile across her face widened, becoming more real. "I'd like that." She paused. "You can join me if you like," she offered, motioning to the seat next to her. "I promise I won't bite."
"Well, as long as you promise." I moved to sit beside her, sensing that she was becoming more comfortable with my presence as I was becoming more comfortable with hers. "So, you can't sleep either?" I asked as I sat down.
"I'm not sure, exactly," Katralina admitted, smoothing out a fold in her coat. "I was here talking to Braska for a long while, and when he left . . . I just had no inclination to leave. This is a good place for me to think."
"Braska was here?"
Nodding, she answered, "Yes, but he left at nightfall. He said he wanted to be well-rested for when he takes the Trials in the morning."
"You've been alone since then?"
"It's not so bad, once you think about it. I'm surrounded by my family all the time. I love them to death, don't get me wrong, it's just that I need some time alone, you know?" She shrugged, then added, "Besides, I have you to keep me company now. What would I have to complain about?"
Her comment brought a smile to my face, and I laughed. "You flatter me, when I should be flattering you."
A deep red crept into Katralina's cheeks. "Don't say that," she protested, "just because I'm a summon--"
Now it was my turn to silence her. "I say it," I explained solemnly, "because you are a beautiful woman who deserves to be flattered." The confidence in my words surprised even myself; I didn't know I could express an opinion like that so openly, without even thinking about it. A change of subject was needed, and fast. "So . . . what did you and Braska talk about?"
"Our pilgrimages, mostly." She brushed the end of her ponytail away from her shoulder and over her back. "We discussed our reasons, our experiences . . . even our guardians."
"I certainly hope Braska said good things about me."
"What, you doubt your summoner?"
I threw my hands up in mock protest, and Katralina laughed. "No, no, you don't understand, I trust Braska completely. It's just . . . I want to know what he said."
"All right." Katralina shifted, so that she faced me fully. "He said you were a former warrior monk."
Grunting, I retorted, "Former is the key word in that sentence."
"He didn't tell me why." Her tone of voice was neutral, as if she wanted to know the reason, but respected that fact that it was my decision whether or not to tell her. That fact in itself spoke volumes to me, showing that not only did Katralina respect me, she saw me as her equal.
It was a moment before I answered. I could feel her eyes on me, merely waiting, accepting my silence. "They wanted me to marry the daughter of the high priest," I told her, unable to keep the bitterness from creeping into my voice.
"Did you love her?" Katralina asked softly.
"Love her?" I snorted. "I didn't even know her."
"So you said no."
"And paid the price."
In a move that surprised me, she laid a hand on my arm. Her touch was warm, but it sent shivers down my spine. "Do you miss it? Being a warrior monk, I mean?"
I shrugged. "Sometimes. But guarding Braska, I feel as if I've got a purpose. After . . . I'm not sure what I'm going to do."
"Well, Yevon is corrupt," she said, her bitterness matching my own. "The priests have all the power, and the people meekly follow. They're too afraid of what will happen should they ever decide to think for themselves."
"That's a strange opinion, coming from a summoner. Why did you decide to journey, anyway?"
Katralina's hand dropped from my arm, and she turned back towards the fire. During her silence, I studied her lit profile, trying to read her thoughts from the soft shadows on her face, but she still remained a mystery.
"Braska travels because he wants to rid the world of Sin," Katralina finally began, still staring into the flames. "He journeys because he feels that, as a summoner, it is his duty to fight Sin. He wants to bring peace to all of Spira, because he knows the people long for the Calm."
Surprising even myself, I reached out and held her hand in both of my own. Her hand fit mine perfectly, and I didn't want to ever let her go. "You don't feel the same way?"
"It's an ideal, Auron. I can't say that I totally disagree, but I can't say I totally agree with Braska either." She laughed, a sad, cynical sound. "He's a better soul than I am. I wish I could fight for an ideal. My reason is . . . personal."
She paused, and I stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. Her eyes met mine, and even in the dim light I could see the glimmer of tears. "Sin made my niece an orphan. She was only five years old when her parents died," she said quietly. Then, her voice falling to a whisper, she continued, "Sin killed my big sister. Sephi meant the world to me, because we were always exactly alike, even though there were ten years between us. And now . . . Lulu's growing up to be just like her, and it breaks my heart to know that she'll never know what a great woman her mother was."
Slowly, Katralina's other hand joined mine, and she gripped them both tightly. "I was always a black mage who had the summoner's gift, and I never thought much about it. But when we lost Sephi . . . I changed my mind. That was seven years ago. I'm going to get my revenge on Sin . . . because no family should go through what mine went through."
I let go of her hands so I could wrap my arms around her, pulling her towards me so her head rested against my chest. I was acting on instinct, just doing what felt right, and I was more than surprised that she didn't pull away. Instead, Katralina leaned into the embrace, her arms winding around my waist, her fingertips playing with the ends of my hair. Closing my eyes, I rested back against the couch, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. I had never been this close to a woman before, and her mere presence was intoxicating. My fingertips wandering up and down her spine, I knew I had found something special, and I knew she felt the same. The curiosity, the tension between us had been growing since our first meeting at Mushroom Rock . . .
"Auron," Katralina murmured, propping her chin up on my chest.
"Katra," I answered, just as softly.
She smiled. "I didn't think you'd actually call me that."
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
"Auron...don't let this end here. I won't be able to handle it if you do."
My hand sneaked up her back to rest against the side of her face. "I won't," I whispered my promise, "because my heart won't let me."
All I could see was the outline of her silhouette in the fading firelight. My mind knew that this was crazy--Katralina was a summoner and destined to give her life to defeat Sin; I was a guardian to another summoner. By all rights we should end this affair before both of us were hurt.
But my lips could find hers, and that was all that mattered . . .
***End Flashback***
Moaning, I rolled over in the bed. Why did the past have to haunt me so? While my love for Katralina would always stay with me, my mind knew that there was no way we could be together now. But my heart refused to listen, and my pride refused to admit it, so I was left to suffer in silence. Katralina, if she was here, would have known how to soothe away my fears, my thoughts, my problems with her touch. Even now, ten years later, her kiss still lingered on my lips.
But I was still alone, and I knew that, if I walked out into the lobby of the inn right now, only my memories of Katralina would be there to greet me.
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A/N: Is there a fireplace at the Djose Inn? Better yet, is there an inn in Djose at all? Who knows? There is now ^_^
Hope you guys like it, thanks for the reviews! Please keep them coming!
This is my first FFX fanfic and reviews are greatly appreciated. I've always thought that Auron was a closet romantic (especially when he was younger), but to reveal it would take so much away from his bad ass demeanor.
Part Two is another "setting the scene" chapter with more background information, but the story is starting to progress, I promise. ^_^
Also, this story will roughly follow the game up until Bevelle, but I won't be writing out each and every scene. The story will contain spoilers, so if you've beaten the game and/or don't care to be surprised, please read on.
Read and enjoy!
"Kiss From a Rose" Part Two
Copyright 2003 by Amie Martin
highlander_bellflower@hotmail.com
*****************************
~Auron--Djose~
Operation Mi'ihen was, needless to say, a disaster.
The mere thought of the incident left a sour taste in my mouth. Countless Crusaders and Al Bhed had given their lives in an attempt to defeat Sin, and the Maesters of Yevon wrote the entire thing off as if it never happened. I had to admire the cause, and the reasoning behind it. I couldn't bear to see another summoner die to bring the Calm, not after what happened to Braska.
But in the end, Yuna's pilgrimage continued on. The surviving Crusaders were scattered along the Djose Highroad, every one regretting their participation, mourning their losses. Yuna, as a summoner, did what she could to help, soothing the living and sending the dead, but the stress was starting to take its toll. She needed--we all needed--a well-deserved rest.
"Hey, Auron," Tidus began, falling into step beside me, "can I talk to you for a second?"
I shrugged. "If you want."
"Have you noticed that Yuna seems . . . worn out? Like she's walking in her sleep?" Tidus fiddled with his necklace, staring down at the ground.
"We're all worn out." Behind my collar, I smirked. It would be just like Tidus to focus only on Yuna, completely and utterly obvious to everything else. "It's been a while since we've had a proper rest, and the travel through the Mi'ihen Highroad and Mushroom Rock as well as Operation Mi'ihen took a great toll, on Yuna especially."
"Then, shouldn't we stop now?"
Shaking my head, I answered, "No. It's easier now for us to head to Djose and rest at the inn there." In spite of myself, I smirked again. "Unless you really want to spend the night here, where more of the former Crusaders can easily approach us."
Tidus made a face. "You've got a point there, Auron. Hey, Wakka!" he called, rushing back to the front of the group, no doubt to talk about blitzball strategy or something equally mundane.
Watching him go, I was glad for the conversation to end. Tidus meant well, to be certain, but I was too weary from lack of rest and strain from battle to have the patience for him. All I wanted was a warm bed to sleep in and silence to go with it.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking and battling fiends, we arrived in the quiet village of Djose. Small animals scurried at my feet, brushing against the hem of my pants, and I tried my best to ignore them. I was glad that at least some things in Spira had remained the same.
As we walked into the center of the village, the rock casing surrounding Djose Temple splintered into large chunks, held together by bonds of lightning. Tidus took a step back, his hand on his longsword, clearly startled.
"What the hell is that?" he asked, bewildered.
Wakka chuckled, and Yuna gave a small smile. Lulu simply shook her head as she explained, "Another summoner is addressing the fayth."
"You mean that building is Djose Temple?" Tidus' grip on his sword loosened.
"Precisely." Lulu turned back to face the temple, her part in the conversation ended.
"We should greet the summoner inside," Yuna suggested, meeting Tidus' gaze.
Agreeing, I said, "Yes, but you should not address the fayth until morning." Seeing the protest in Yuna's eyes, I added, "Receiving the aeon will take a lot out of you, and it is best to be well rested."
Scratching his head, Wakka added, "Sleep sounds good, ya?"
"It's settled, then. We'll say hi to the other summoner and then head back to the inn. Come on, let's go!" Putting away his sword, Tidus all but bounded into the temple. With a hint of a smile on her lips, Yuna was quick to join him. The rest of us followed a few seconds behind, perhaps in acknowledgement of the budding lovers' desire to be alone.
Upon walking into Djose Temple, the memories came back once again . . .
***Flashback***
We entered the temple just as the party was leaving the Cloister of Trials. Katralina walked down the stairway, flanked by Ziletto on her left and Othello on her right. Each brother had an arm around her waist, as if they were afraid to let her go. Corone walked behind the three of them, clasping her twin's staff protectively, a concerned look on her face.
"Hey, Auron, isn't that your summoner-chick girlfriend?" Jecht commented, raising one eyebrow.
I slapped Jecht's arm with my free hand. "This is a place of worship," I said through clenched teeth, "and you would do well to remember that."
Jecht made a sour face, but thankfully said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Braska greeted, "Lady Katralina, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Katralina managed a weak smile; I could see tiredness and weariness written in her sky blue eyes. "As it is ours, Lord Braska," she answered.
"You have already prayed to the fayth, I take it?" Braska waited just beyond the stair, and I remained one step behind him, slightly to his right. It was a proper place for a guardian to be, and besides, it gave me a good look at the black mage summoner who captured all of my attention.
She nodded. "It takes a lot out of me, I'm afraid."
"Exactly. That's why we're taking Kat back to the inn to rest," Corone explained, "only she's being stubborn as usual."
"I am *not* being stubborn." Despite her weakened state, Katralina's comment was sharp and to the point. As she spoke, she went to take the last step off the stairs, but tripped instead pitching forward towards the ground.
Instinct pulled me to jump to help her, but her brothers reached her before I did, holding her while she regained her balance. Jecht barked out a laugh, and Braska smiled.
Smirking, Othello commented, "So, Kat, what was that about not being stubborn?"
A small droplet of sweat traced a line down Katralina's cheek and slender neck. "I hate you," she muttered under her breath.
"You can hate him at the inn." Ziletto's voice was stern; there would be no arguing with him. "Please accept our apologies, Lord Braska, for making such a hasty exit. My sister is in no condition--"
"I hate you, too, Ziletto," Katralina interrupted, in a voice so serious that it made me want to burst out laughing. It took all of my self-control to curb the impulse. "Lord Braska, please feel free to join me at the inn later," Katralina continued, "after you've prayed to the fayth, of course."
"Of course." Braska bowed to her in prayer. "Until then."
"Until then." She nodded in acknowledgement, her arms wrapped around her brothers' shoulders.
I felt more than saw Katralina's gaze upon me as she walked past. Something in her eyes said, "I'll be talking to you later."
She had no idea how much I wanted that to happen . . .
***End Flashback***
I snapped back to reality at the sound of Yuna's voice, as she spoke to the male summoner next to her. His name, I learned, was Isaaru, and his two guardians were his brothers. I was reminded of Katralina and her guardians; the bond of siblings added another layer to a summoner's pilgrimage, another layer of pain at the end of the journey.
Only half listening to the conversation, I overheard Isaaru mention High Summoner Braska as his inspiration, his reason to journey. Braska would have been honored to be such a role model, only he was not alive now to realize his impact. Just one more regret on my ever-growing list . . .
The group was growing fidgety; Tidus' foot was tapping nonstop and Wakka had started tossing his blitzball back and forth. Even the unreadable Kimahri seemed a little anxious to leave the temple. Yuna would rather let Isaaru talk all day than seem rude by interrupting him, but kindness had its limits, and Yuna was only starting to learn that.
So, laying my free hand on Yuna's shoulder, I said quietly, "Yuna, it's time."
Isaaru looked startled, and Yuna smiled with gratitude. "Sir . . . Auron?" he asked. "You are guarding Lady Yuna?"
I nodded curtly, not feeling the need to explain my promise to Braska. "We should be going now."
"Yes, of course." Yuna bowed to Isaaru, who promptly bowed back. "I was glad to make your acquaintance, and I'm sure we'll meet again."
"I'm sure of it, Lady Yuna."
Without another word, I turned and walked out of Djose Temple. Lulu, Wakka, and Kimahri followed; Tidus hung back, I assumed to talk to Yuna. I knew she would be safe with him, Jecht's son and Braska's daughter . . . the picture-perfect portrait of young love. It made me sick.
And it made me think of Katralina.
Sighing to myself, I entered the inn and claimed the first available room as my own. The innkeeper nodded to me, acknowledging me as one of Yuna's guardians, and her silence pleased me. I was sick of the explanations, sick of the lies, sick of it all. Maybe with a well-deserved rest, my patience for life would return.
The room was small but comfortable, with only a bed, chair and end table for furniture. There was a small mirror above the table, but otherwise the walls were bare. It suited my mood and personality perfectly; a warrior monk did not need anything more than the bare essentials.
One by one I removed my bulkier items of clothing. I undid the clasps of my belt and placed it on the chair along with my sake jug, my katana propped against the wall next to the chair. My boots I kicked into a corner, not caring where they landed. I took off my heavy red coat and collar, draping them over the back of the chair. Finally I removed my sunglasses, my last line of defense against the world. Anyone who saw me now would see only a fallen man, not a legendary guardian.
Before lying down in bed, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the small mirror. It was something I often avoided; the graying hair and unshaven face were not qualities of my appearance I particularly admired. But the scar . . . a scarred face for a scarred man. Deep down, it all made sense-- life did have a sense of irony.
Grunting at my image, I laid down, eager to leave this world behind and enter the realm of dreams . . .
***Flashback***
Try as I might, I could not fall asleep.
I tossed and turned in my bed, thoughts running through my mind. Thoughts about the pilgrimage, the black mage summoner, even whether or not Jecht's Zanarkand really existed--I thought about it all. Apparently the same problem plagued neither Braska nor Jecht; Braska slept in silence, while Jecht's snoring could be heard through the walls. It seemed as if I was the only one cursed with a conscience, an overactive mind.
As much as I worried about the pilgrimage, a part of me--a very large part of me, I was starting to realize--centered on Katralina. I couldn't get the image of her out of my mind. The way she looked as she walked down the stairs, the way the sweat glistened along her face and neck, the way she still had grace in a state of weakness . . . she was truly beautiful. And the way she looked at me as she left led me to believe she might feel the same way about me. There was no way for me to be sure, and it was driving me absolutely crazy.
In the darkness, I sat up and put on my boots. Maybe a little walk beneath the stars would be enough to clear my mind and find some peace. I didn't bother to tie my hair back into its customary ponytail, only shrugging into my red coat as I walked out of the room.
The soft crackling of burning wood greeted me as I entered the lobby of the inn, a place I expected to be deserted at this late hour. Someone had started the fireplace, casting a warm glow over the room. I walked cautiously, not knowing who I might find.
She was here, as if she was waiting for me to arrive.
I drew a sharp breath, almost choking on the air, and stumbled into the room.
Katralina looked up from where she sat curled up on the couch by the fire. Her hair was still pulled up, but her black coat was unbuttoned, spread out across her legs like a blanket. She looked less intimidating now, as if the summoner in her had faded away, but no less beautiful. A small, almost timid smile graced her lips as her eyes met mine.
"It's Auron, right?" she asked, her quiet voice almost blending in with the night.
"What?" Flustered, I pulled my coat tighter around me, cursing my sudden lack of communication skills.
Katralina chuckled. "Your name," she repeated. "It's Auron, isn't it? A guardian of Lord Braska?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes, I'm him. Auron. One of Braska's guardians." Vainly I wished my coat had pockets, so I could hide my shaking hands from her sight. "Please forgive my intrusion, Lady--"
She held up a hand to silence me. "Please, don't call me Lady. Not here, now here," Katralina said. "Call me Katralina, or Kat even, I don't mind."
Slowly I inched closer to her, afraid that if I did something wrong she would disappear, fading away like a pleasant dream. "How about I meet you halfway and call you Katra?"
It was a weak attempt at a joke, and I hadn't expected her to take it seriously, but the smile across her face widened, becoming more real. "I'd like that." She paused. "You can join me if you like," she offered, motioning to the seat next to her. "I promise I won't bite."
"Well, as long as you promise." I moved to sit beside her, sensing that she was becoming more comfortable with my presence as I was becoming more comfortable with hers. "So, you can't sleep either?" I asked as I sat down.
"I'm not sure, exactly," Katralina admitted, smoothing out a fold in her coat. "I was here talking to Braska for a long while, and when he left . . . I just had no inclination to leave. This is a good place for me to think."
"Braska was here?"
Nodding, she answered, "Yes, but he left at nightfall. He said he wanted to be well-rested for when he takes the Trials in the morning."
"You've been alone since then?"
"It's not so bad, once you think about it. I'm surrounded by my family all the time. I love them to death, don't get me wrong, it's just that I need some time alone, you know?" She shrugged, then added, "Besides, I have you to keep me company now. What would I have to complain about?"
Her comment brought a smile to my face, and I laughed. "You flatter me, when I should be flattering you."
A deep red crept into Katralina's cheeks. "Don't say that," she protested, "just because I'm a summon--"
Now it was my turn to silence her. "I say it," I explained solemnly, "because you are a beautiful woman who deserves to be flattered." The confidence in my words surprised even myself; I didn't know I could express an opinion like that so openly, without even thinking about it. A change of subject was needed, and fast. "So . . . what did you and Braska talk about?"
"Our pilgrimages, mostly." She brushed the end of her ponytail away from her shoulder and over her back. "We discussed our reasons, our experiences . . . even our guardians."
"I certainly hope Braska said good things about me."
"What, you doubt your summoner?"
I threw my hands up in mock protest, and Katralina laughed. "No, no, you don't understand, I trust Braska completely. It's just . . . I want to know what he said."
"All right." Katralina shifted, so that she faced me fully. "He said you were a former warrior monk."
Grunting, I retorted, "Former is the key word in that sentence."
"He didn't tell me why." Her tone of voice was neutral, as if she wanted to know the reason, but respected that fact that it was my decision whether or not to tell her. That fact in itself spoke volumes to me, showing that not only did Katralina respect me, she saw me as her equal.
It was a moment before I answered. I could feel her eyes on me, merely waiting, accepting my silence. "They wanted me to marry the daughter of the high priest," I told her, unable to keep the bitterness from creeping into my voice.
"Did you love her?" Katralina asked softly.
"Love her?" I snorted. "I didn't even know her."
"So you said no."
"And paid the price."
In a move that surprised me, she laid a hand on my arm. Her touch was warm, but it sent shivers down my spine. "Do you miss it? Being a warrior monk, I mean?"
I shrugged. "Sometimes. But guarding Braska, I feel as if I've got a purpose. After . . . I'm not sure what I'm going to do."
"Well, Yevon is corrupt," she said, her bitterness matching my own. "The priests have all the power, and the people meekly follow. They're too afraid of what will happen should they ever decide to think for themselves."
"That's a strange opinion, coming from a summoner. Why did you decide to journey, anyway?"
Katralina's hand dropped from my arm, and she turned back towards the fire. During her silence, I studied her lit profile, trying to read her thoughts from the soft shadows on her face, but she still remained a mystery.
"Braska travels because he wants to rid the world of Sin," Katralina finally began, still staring into the flames. "He journeys because he feels that, as a summoner, it is his duty to fight Sin. He wants to bring peace to all of Spira, because he knows the people long for the Calm."
Surprising even myself, I reached out and held her hand in both of my own. Her hand fit mine perfectly, and I didn't want to ever let her go. "You don't feel the same way?"
"It's an ideal, Auron. I can't say that I totally disagree, but I can't say I totally agree with Braska either." She laughed, a sad, cynical sound. "He's a better soul than I am. I wish I could fight for an ideal. My reason is . . . personal."
She paused, and I stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. Her eyes met mine, and even in the dim light I could see the glimmer of tears. "Sin made my niece an orphan. She was only five years old when her parents died," she said quietly. Then, her voice falling to a whisper, she continued, "Sin killed my big sister. Sephi meant the world to me, because we were always exactly alike, even though there were ten years between us. And now . . . Lulu's growing up to be just like her, and it breaks my heart to know that she'll never know what a great woman her mother was."
Slowly, Katralina's other hand joined mine, and she gripped them both tightly. "I was always a black mage who had the summoner's gift, and I never thought much about it. But when we lost Sephi . . . I changed my mind. That was seven years ago. I'm going to get my revenge on Sin . . . because no family should go through what mine went through."
I let go of her hands so I could wrap my arms around her, pulling her towards me so her head rested against my chest. I was acting on instinct, just doing what felt right, and I was more than surprised that she didn't pull away. Instead, Katralina leaned into the embrace, her arms winding around my waist, her fingertips playing with the ends of my hair. Closing my eyes, I rested back against the couch, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. I had never been this close to a woman before, and her mere presence was intoxicating. My fingertips wandering up and down her spine, I knew I had found something special, and I knew she felt the same. The curiosity, the tension between us had been growing since our first meeting at Mushroom Rock . . .
"Auron," Katralina murmured, propping her chin up on my chest.
"Katra," I answered, just as softly.
She smiled. "I didn't think you'd actually call me that."
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
"Auron...don't let this end here. I won't be able to handle it if you do."
My hand sneaked up her back to rest against the side of her face. "I won't," I whispered my promise, "because my heart won't let me."
All I could see was the outline of her silhouette in the fading firelight. My mind knew that this was crazy--Katralina was a summoner and destined to give her life to defeat Sin; I was a guardian to another summoner. By all rights we should end this affair before both of us were hurt.
But my lips could find hers, and that was all that mattered . . .
***End Flashback***
Moaning, I rolled over in the bed. Why did the past have to haunt me so? While my love for Katralina would always stay with me, my mind knew that there was no way we could be together now. But my heart refused to listen, and my pride refused to admit it, so I was left to suffer in silence. Katralina, if she was here, would have known how to soothe away my fears, my thoughts, my problems with her touch. Even now, ten years later, her kiss still lingered on my lips.
But I was still alone, and I knew that, if I walked out into the lobby of the inn right now, only my memories of Katralina would be there to greet me.
*****************************
A/N: Is there a fireplace at the Djose Inn? Better yet, is there an inn in Djose at all? Who knows? There is now ^_^
Hope you guys like it, thanks for the reviews! Please keep them coming!