I just saw Angel Sanctuary, very sad and weird, so I'm a little out of it. Plus my cheekbone hurts. Um, someone asked why I used Ashe in this story. I don't really know why. I saw that name on FFXII, but I know there was more reason than that. Ashe just is a name that seemed to fit her best.

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Where am I?

Chapter Two:

It hurts

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Ever had a whole entire room to yourself? Not one of those boring, bland, spacey rooms with white walls. I'm talking about those beautiful painted rooms with comfortable furniture and a perfect view. And for however long you sit in there, it feels like instant heaven.

I don't have a room like that. I did once, when I was very little. When the world was perfect, and everyone was together, and I loved my sister. She was my idol, you know. She was everything a man could ever want, and only at the mere age of seven. She had perfect skin, beautiful oak-brown hair, and one blue eye, one green. She was skinny but not scrawny, and always held her head up high, and no matter what she was always so quiet.

I wasn't like that. I was always loud and obnoxious, childish in a way. I loved speaking my mind, and wasn't serene like her. I wanted to, but I didn't want to forget who I was.

I shut my diary as I glanced to the edge of the highroad. Finally I was in Luca, holding my ticket as tight as possible. As I walked down the pebbled steps, I noticed obnoxious children running around. I was never with those kids. Those kids were the non-Al-Bhed, the people who were lucky to be born without a single flaw, who were only surpassed in their perfection by another one of their race. They were the happy race.

I walked down into the town and passed the center-commerce of it all. I walked into a hotel and rented a room, collapsing on the first bed I saw. The highroad isn't long; it's just a bitch. Walking for hours on end without someone to talk to really gets to you after a while. I sighed and glanced to my outfit. Damn that cursed Cayh. He stole my pack so all I had to wear was my traveler's clothes. I walked to the mirror and inspected myself. Hardly fit for a concert tonight, but a shower would clean me up good.

The figure staring back at me had eerily blue eyes. They were deep, as if trying to suck you inside. My blonde hair was braided in five braids surrounding my head, running down to my knees. My face almost looked like hers, only thinner, and with a higher cheekbone. I had bangs over my forehead, blonde like the rest of me. I was almost as tall as the mirror itself, but still short enough for Gippal to call me 'shorty'. My clothes were withered and tattered from the battle, but I could purchase some with the rest of the gil. I was really only staying one night, no more, and I had enough to buy supplies and a transport home.

I walked out, despite my legs lack of commitment to the idea, and went to the first clothing store I found. Inside I found a bluish-green strapless dress. Two sleeves that would not reach my shoulders were connected. A nobles dress, I imagine. I bought it with most of the gil I had left and changed into it at the hotel room.

I glanced at a sphere-clock. It was almost time for the concert. I grabbed my ticket, pulled on my boots, and headed for the hall. I gave my ticket and headed in, sitting amongst the wave of people. Glancing over the crowd I saw a blonde boy, holding my eyes. An Al-Bhed? We sort of looked alike, but not enough. No, he was one of the lucky ones…but his face seemed so familiar.

When the music played my head darted up. People were cheering for her, but I was not. I was standing alone, glaring at the stage. Quietly I left my seat and headed out through the doors. I walked down the hallway, trying to block out the song from my ears. She was good, I had to admit, but I still hated her. I would always hate her. I just needed an opportune time. I hated her, for all that she did to me…

After my mother's death, I found myself running, like literally running. I didn't know where I was going; after all, I was only about three or four. I just kept going until I fell unconscious. Gippal found me and took me to his home. His parents practically adopted me, but I still felt like an outsider.

During Sin's comeback, we discussed what we would do during the calm. He wanted to make machina that wouldn't cause Sin's resurrection. We made the very first machine, using special parts. It didn't run like machina, as it was a bit slower and such, but it still functioned. That's when that Rikku showed up with her whole family and crew. She wanted Gippal's help in defeating Sin using machina.

"Isn't that just making the problem worse?!" I exclaimed, but they ignored me. Brother, however, noticed me just in time to make an insulting remark.

"You're not Al-Bhed, so you are not as smart as one. You are only half, so you only have half a brain!" he exclaimed. Gippal whacked Brother a good one, but I just kept my hurt expression on my face.

"Don't worry. If it doesn't work, we still have the summoners," Gippal offered. I nodded and we left. You know what happened, and I barely made it out alive. I was right, which I hate.

"Hey you!" a voice exclaimed, interrupting my reminiscing. I turned to see the blonde boy with blue eyes looking at me.
"Sa fryd?" I asked. (Me what?)

"Fro tet oui mayja? Ymud uv baubma fuimt veht dryd cicbeleuic," he replied. Which I was shocked. Since when did all of Spira know how to speak Al-Bhed? (Why did you leave? A lot of people would find that suspicious.)

"Because I felt like it!" I exclaimed, turning on my heel. He followed.

"So you do speak English," he said. I glared at him.

"Well duh! More than half of Spira speaks it. If you really want to see something amazing, go talk to a Ronso," I spat.
"Sorry, usually people who answer in Al-Bhed only speak Al-Bhed," he replied.

"That's if you're an Al-Bhed. But I'm not," I replied, crossing my arms.

"You look like one."

"So do you," I shot back. "This is childish, just leave me alone."

I spun on my heel and stormed off. As I continued down the halls one thought circle my mind. How exactly was I suppose to meet Yuna? She was on stage, and I really didn't want anyone to know I was here, so I couldn't exactly go up there and slap her. Besides, I'd probably go to jail. And I couldn't go backstage. The guards needed to see a certain ID which I didn't have.

"What a waste," I muttered, kicking a wall. I felt a cold circle touch the back of my head.

"Turn around slowly and get on the floor," a gruff voice ordered.

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Dun dun dun….