A/N: I am so so so so so sorry about not updating for such a long time, but I was caught up with getting into a new school and then it was school work, and to tell the truth, this chapter has been withheld for many weeks, I just did not ave the time to look it over and post it soon enough. Well, once you guys finish reading my rant, you can very well proceed with enjoying the story!

Chapter Eight: The Moonflow

"Where are we?"

They had been trekking through the rocky red dirt roads leading from Djose for quite a few days. Ever so often, Sitaten would run ahead to exchange a few words with Shuyin, run back to converse with Rikku and Baralai, and train without a weapon whenever Shuyin thought it was safe enough to stop.

"So how far along do you think Yuna and Tidus are?" it had been so long since she had heard the name, Sitaten did a double take when the words spilled out of Rikku's mouth.

"We have no way of knowing. They may already be there, they may be way behind, or they might be dead." Paine answered.

"What a heartless thing to say!" Sitaten exclaimed.

"I was merely citing the possibilities. The fact is that we have no idea where they are or if they're safe. All we can do is try to make it to the temple before they blunder the entire thing and the truth would never be exposed." Paine walked straight ahead, not even turning back to face Sitaten even as she corrected her.

"They're fine." Sitaten replied.

"Oh?" Paine turned around, one eyebrow raised. "And how would you know something like that?" Paine asked. Sitaten grabbed he locket and tried to prepare her defense, only to come up with nothing.

"I just know!" she shouted.

"You think you know everything, don't you." Paine turned around and kept walking, the others respectfully silent after the exchange.

"I know what secret you've been hiding." No.

Paine's amusement flared, "I see. And what is my big secret, my prophet?"

No, don't say it.

"One word. Love."

"What are you talking about?" Paine took a step toward her. Shuyin had stopped and he was looking back on the group, torn between watching the exchange or helping Sitaten out.

"It's written all over your aura- you're in love with him and you won't even admit it. Smitten, in fact. You're afraid of getting hurt. " The words belonged to another, but she was punished nonetheless. Paine pulled her hand back and smacked Sitaten with all her might. The white acolyte fell to the ground.

"How dare you speak those words."

"That's enough!" Shuyin roared. He finally stepped between the two, roughly pushing Paine back. Baralai reached down to help Sitaten to her feet.

"What's the matter with you, Sitaten? Picking a fight- here of all places?" Shuyin scolded.

"I didn't mean to" Sitaten began.

"Just stay away from me." Paine turned abruptly and sped off, leaving a shocked and confused girl in her wake.

"Are you okay?" the ever loyal Rikku peered into her face with concern, and mild anger toward the aggressor.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Go on without me, I'll be fine." Sitaten waved her away.

"Sita, I'm sorry she did that...but Paine can be so moody sometimes." Rikku gave her one more lookover, "Just don't lag too far behind, 'kay?" Sitaten nodded.

She had been walking twenty paces behind the group for at least half the day, thinking about all that had transpired the last couple of weeks. Despite her discontent, Sitaten had been safe at home only a month ago. Then, she had to be the biggest idiot, running away from the only place she had ever been. To top it all off, she travels to the enemy's country, to stay, where she was hated and despised, only to be kidnaped days after her arrival! Everything was going downhill faster and faster- and now, the two surliest people in the world were angry at her for words she had not meant to say!

And again, that long haired acolyte was haunting her again. Her voice was in her head, her image emblazoned on her retinas, and her spirit talking through her. As Sitaten spoke those words, she felt like she was watching on the sidelines- seeing the words spoken, seeing the blow delivered, watching the body fall- but she wasn't there. She refused to be angry at Paine, Sitaten had no idea what kind of feelings those words kicked up, but right now dark energy was resonating around Paine, a sign of anger- and confusion. Paine was confused.

That night, Sitaten turned in early for bed, again, without food on her stomach. Tossing and turning, today's events playing over in her mind again and again. What was the acolyte trying to do? What was she trying to accomplish haunting her like this? When she fell asleep that night, Sitaten was sure she would endure nightmares.

The next morning, Sitaten was in a very sour mood. Her sleep was broken by an incomprehensible series of dreams, all of which included her mother or the brown-haired girl, and her stomach was churning with the thought of the previous day. The mysterious acolyte succeeded in possessing her, and Sitaten was unsure whether or not the restless spirit would be able to do it again, and if she would.

"Sita, you're awfully quiet today." They had been walking for a few hours, Sitaten skipping the morning breakfast as usual.

"I'm"

"..Thinking. I know, you and Shuyin get the same faraway look in your eyes whenever you're thinking too hard." Rikku smiled up at her.

"So how was breakfast?" Sitaten asked conversationally.

"You would know if you'd have eaten it." Rikku, in her own special little way, was backhandedly scolding her.

"I know, I know. I haven't eaten in a while, but I've been thinking."

"You can think and eat at the same time. Unless you're one of those people who have to concentrate really hard." the two girls giggled.

"I've been so distracted lately that I can't really..." the words were confusing even Sitaten.

"Have you been practicing?" Rikku asked.

"My hands? Yeah...it's not as easy as I once thought. Shuyin has me doing katas. It's blowing my mind...and I'm always so sore."

"Oh, that's too bad...well, what are you going to do after we've finished in Bevelle?" Rikku asked delightedly.

"Hmm...I'm not sure just yet. Hopefully I can just find some island where I am the sole inhabitant. Of course, I'd love for you and Baralai to visit every now and then." Gippal, who had heard the conversation, joined in with a "Oh, you wound me, Princess."

"And you, too. If you'd like, Gippal." Sitaten amended. The Al Bhed smiled and winked at her before turning to talk with Paine and Baralai.

"What are you going to do about your father?"

"If he doesn't accept what I've done, then we'll part ways. I don't know, though...he can be a surprisingly understanding man, I mean, you know how Bevellians are, and he arranged for me to live with your aunt." An Al Bhed.

"I see your point..." Rikku looked down and began to chew her lip.

"Hey, Sita...why don't you mind being in the presence of Al Bheds?" she tentatively asked. Sitaten's eyes began to search the ground.

"I don't know...I guess this war seems so ...petty, as are our differences. One thing I've learned from this entire fiasco is that you can't judge a person because of what race or religion they are. You've turned out to be my very best friend. I would have missed out on us if I'd turned my nose up at you when we first met." Sitaten looked up to find Rikku smiling broadly.

"Okay, enough sap for the day. Why don't we play something...I'm getting bored." Rikku suggested. Shrugging, Sitaten nodded once.

"Hmm...how about...I spy!"

"Something silver? Ku, that's easy!" Rikku pointed at the back of Paine's head. "Paine's Hair!"

"No," Sitaten giggled.

"Baralai's..."

"Uh ah," she shook her head.

"Your necklace, hah! I got you!"

"Nope!"

"Aw, c'mon... how much silver's out here anyway..." Rikku looked around. "Your staff- no? Baralai's staff! Gippal's guns? You suck!" Rikku grabbed her head in frustration. "I give up." she sighed.

"Shuyin's sword." Sitaten grinned.

"It's sheathed!"

"No it's not...look," she pointed ahead where Shuyin was fingering the designs on the flat side of his blade. It was only about four centimeters outside its sheath.

"That wasn't fair!" Rikku huffed indignantly.

"I spied it..." Sitaten teased.

"Okay...new game." Rikku suggested sourly. Sitaten started to giggle, only to abruptly stop midstep.

"...Or maybe not," Rikku spun around when she saw Sitaten whipping her head around. "What's up?" she furrowed her eyebrows.

"Can you feel" Sitaten stopped short and then started to take off at a run, quickly surpassing Shuyin, who was always at the front of the group.

"Hey! You're not trying to run are you?" Sitaten heard Rikku's distant shout. But her voice was soon drowned out.

Look at the water, mamma! She whipped her head to the right at the sound of a young child's voice. Come play with the lights!

Ooh! Look at the pyreflies! There hella-cool, dude! Sitatens head snapped to the left before she looked up ahead again. And then laughter. She was barely snapped back to reality by a hand on her shoulder, she tuned around and tried to force the palm of her hand through the figure's nose, but the man stopped her and held fast to her wrist.

"What's going on?" She was relieved to find herself staring into Shuyin's forest green eyes. Sitaten froze at the mere sight of them, staring for what seemed like countless hours. He was concerned for her: the furrowing of his brow, the frown upon his full pink lips, his beautiful verdant eyes... she could have stayed that way forever. It was not until he asked her again that she had sucked in a deep breath, not realizing that she was holding it.

"Wh" she cleared her throat, "What's up ahead?" she asked. His frown deepened.

"The Moonflow. Why, did you hear something?" Sitaten's eyes rounded.

The Moonflow! They couldn't have picked a worse area to drag her through! The emotions and memories packed into one little forest and lake would surely kick her extra-sensory perception in high gear. Who knows what could happen!

"But we are just passing by, correct?" she asked with a desperate hope.

"No, we are going straight through. That is the best route to take." he replied, hesitantly releasing her hand.

"No!" she shouted, and upon receiving a surprised look from Shuyin, she recovered with, "I mean, I didn't even bring any memory pixels. This will be my first time visiting you know."

"Right," Shuyin nodded, but she knew he was getting suspicious. Dear Fayth, please grant her safe passage.

"Come on, let's go." Paine nodded in the direction of the violent feelings, Sitaten dreading the outcome of her journey.

They say that there were very few people in the world that possessed the gift, most of which obtained their sense through trauma or overexposure to an Aeon, which singled out the summoners only. Sitaten had no clue as to how she may have attained her powers, as she could not remember anything past her mother's death.

As they trekked through the fertile dirt path, a vision or distant voices would pop up here and there, and each time, she thought that perhaps her companions were talking to her, only to find them minding their own business, looking uninterestingly at everything and nothing. Kira!! A voice shouted off to the left, causing Sitaten to snap her head up.

"Why are you so jumpy?" Shuyin had finally asked, after watching her twitching and jumping at nothing. If he had not known her, he would have thought she was schizophrenic or something.

"It's starting to get kind of chilly." she began rubbing her arms absently. Her statement was true, but that could not be the reason her eyes kept darting back and forth and her body was jerking his way and that.

"Here," Shuyin held her wrist and cast a simple warming spell.

"Thank you!" she looked up at him in surprise. Of course, helping people was not his known M.O.

"Now tell me what is bothering you." Sitaten looked down and bit her bottom lip.

"I-I..." she stammered.

Shuyin was quite sure for some time now that she had been hiding something from them. Everywhere they turned, every time they would meet someone, she would know. For some reason she was one step ahead of them, although she feigned ignorance of their surroundings. Of course, the group could have traveled around the Moonflow, but since Sitaten disliked the idea so much, he decided to bring them through.

Shuyin was not trying to be an asshole or anything, but she could definitely have been a spy for the temples, and since she knew so much, he refused to let her go. Although her thousands of questions could get tiresome, she had her moments where she could actually pass for 'good company'. And now, she was starting to trip out, and he wanted to know why.

"It's nothing." she resolved. Calmly, but quickly, he unsheathed his sword and held it to her neck. Wide-eyed, she looked up at him in surprise.

"What're you doing?" she gasped.

"It's time we have a little talk." he gripped the back of her neck firmly.

"Hey let her go, Shuyin!" Rikku quickly slipped her daggers from their sheaths and was about to attack, but Paine and Gippal stood in the way.

"What are you doing, Shuyin?"Baralai stood there calmly, waiting to understand the meaning of his hold.

"I have little patience, Sitaten, and it has expired. You have twenty seconds, to tell me how you've been one step ahead of us, even as you claim that you haven't been anywhere outside Bevelle."

Shuyin was through with playing this little game with her, and he was going to get his questions answered, or he would not hesitate to dispose of her here and now. Although he enjoyed her company, dancing around subjects was neither his forte nor something he enjoyed being forced to do while in the presence of his traveling companions. It was either spill or die for this girl. There was no telling if she was a spy.

Oh, Fayth. OH FAYTH! What am I going to do? Sitaten began to shiver. The grip on the back of her neck was slightly painful and the look in his eyes told her that he meant business. What should I do?! If she told him what she could do, he might try to use her! And from the way she had seen him fight, she could never find herself even to imagine defeating him.

"Fifteen...fourteen...thirteen..." Oh, Yevon! He was counting! There really is no easy way to tell him. What if he did not believe her! Would he kill her anyway and this quest fo truth all been for naught? Please, Bahamut, guide her!

"Nine..." his grip on her tightened and her knees started to buckle. Her father told her to never tell anyone what she could do. The only person she had ever trusted that information with was

"I really have to tell you this, El." the brown haired sat across from her on the bed. The two girls were wearing traditional Besaidian clothes, as the island was hot, and their acolyte robes were like the dresses from hell.

"Can't it wait, Sita I really have to fix this." 'El' felt guilty from earlier for getting angry with her when Sitaten had pushed her into a chicken coup. Of course, she did not know at the time that a dangerous fiend was lunging for her.

"I don't think I can wait that long." Sita fell silent as she watched 'El twine blue cotton together to make thread.

"Oh, all right." the girl placed the ball of thread next to her and looked up expectantly at her friend. Her face fell when she saw Sita's frown. "What's wrong Sita?"

"You won't believe me, but I don't like for secrets to be between us. Please, whatever you hear tonight, receive it with an open mind. I'd really like for you to still be my friend." Sitaten looked away and closed her eyes.

"Oh," 'El' whined and moved to sit beside Sitaten, "I'll always be your friend, Sita. Regardless of whatever may happen to either of us." she placed her hands around her Sitaten's shoulders.

"You may think this is weird but," Sitaten hesitated, "I can... I can read people's minds... emotions."

"That's a trait of a good acolyte." 'El' blinked.

"No, this is...this is different. See, I've gone and made you all confused." 'El' furrowed her eyebrows.

"I don't understand why this is so bad..."

"I know...I tell you what. I'll close my eyes, and I want you to think of a memory- good or bad, and I'll tell you what you may associate with it."

"What?"

"Do it."

"Okay..." 'El closed her eyes, and Sitaten followed suit.

"Happiness..." 'El opened her eyes to find that Sitaten's were still closed. She narrowed her yes and thought of another one.

"Love..." Sitaten smiled. 'El's' eyebrows rose, "Extreme , uncertainty" Sitaten cut herself off when she realized that 'El's' feelings were toward the information she was sharing with her.

"I...I understand if this is a bit much for you. I mean, how scary is it to have someone know what you are thinking all the time." Sitaten began wring her hands.

"H-how do you know?" 'El' stood abruptly.

"It's almost like an aura...maybe more like a scent. I don't know, but I can feel them strongest when they are close by. You...I was drawn to you because of your optimism and high spirits. Since then I can't... please don't be upset with me." Sitaten pleaded. 'El' took in a deep breath and began to pace the room, running her finger through her hair and mumbling incoherently.

"You're one of those people, but how? I thought something had to happen in order for you to be in contact with" she began but stopped herself short.

"My dad doesn't really know. And my mom...well, I can't get any information out of her anyhow." 'El' sighed.

"Maybe...maybe I could help you, I don't know...try to get rid of it? I mean...I'm not afraid of you or anything it's just that" Sitaten overcame the urge to snort. Fear was apparent, not only in her aura, but in her eyes, too. She was making an effort, and the least she could do is meet her half way.

"Perhaps..."

"Please, Shuyin...don't ask that of me." as soon as she said it, he pulled her head back for better access to her neck.

"Two..." he continued, prepping his sword for an easy swipe. "One..." He paused and stared into her eyes once more with nothing but concern and regret written across his aura.

"Stop!" Sitaten dropped her voice down to a whisper, "I'll tell you, if that's what you want. Now let go of me." Sitaten's neck was sore and her head was pulsing. Shuyin softened his grip and then released her, the smell of relief drowning out the others'. She lowered her head and sighed heavily.

"I can read your emotions...all of you. The fiends, the trees...the grass. I can feel it all." Confusion- it was to be expected.

"She's bull-shitting us." Paine crossed her arms and fixed a furious glare on her.

"Oh, yeah?" Sitaten finally looked up, tears in her eyes, streams of them running down her cheeks. Anger welling up, she slammed her fist into her face with as much force she could possibly muster. Paine tipped backward and was about to retaliate when Baralai grabbed her by the waist and held her back.

The girl was swinging in wild anger, reverting back to her most basic, animalistic self. Screeching in anger, she scratched, kicked, and struggled to get out of his grasp. Immediately, Sitaten took pity on her- to love and be able to throw away a gift such as love was foolish, and she deserved the blow, and many more.

"SHUT UP!" Sitaten screeched. Black hatred swept through the area, and Paine settled down to a simmering anger.

"Don't ever feel that way around me. It'll rub off. Besides- you deserved it. And you too, Baralai." the Yevonite looked up at the sound of his name. He seemed shocked and surprised.

"She loves you. You love her. You know it. She knows it. Everyone can see it, and nothing should come between you...not even you." Sitaten took in a deep breath and turned to Shuyin.

"You...I know you've been hurt in the past....I don't know what by, but you've got to let it go. Your depression, and angst...and anger blackens me. I can't take being surrounded by such feelings all the time." Sitaten closed her eyes and took in a deep breath and let her shoulders sink, droppin her head down low, the image of a long lost friend came to her.

"I once had a best friend you know. Beautiful, smart...powerful, and understanding. She taught me to construct no boundaries- to openly feel emotion and share it with everyone. She died defending me. And she had so much more that she could have given... she was so...brilliant."

"When I first told her what I could do...she was a bit scared. But then, she trained me, helped me to hone my powers. She died because of what I could do. Many people die...just from knowing. And you people are hell-bent on making me feel guilty for wanting to protect you from this." silence fell upon the group and then-

"It is a blessing to sympathize with people. Your gift could be very useful" Baralai began.

"...To a cause, yes," Sitaten said bitterly, and then flopped down onto the ground, and folded her legs underneath her. "My secret was kept for a reason. Why do you think I ran? What would Yevon do if they discovered I can almost read minds?" Sitaten hung her head low for a while, running her hands through her waves in defeat.

"So you lied about not remembering anything?" Paine was the one to ask. Sitaten's head snapped up, and she stared into her eyes with unwavering confidence and conviction.

"I don't lie." she stated firmly, and then lowered her head again.

"Do you remember how you received your powers?" Shuyin had asked.

"I've had them for as long as I can remember." she shrugged.

"Is there anything else you might want to fill us in on, Princess?" Gippal asked, eliciting a sigh from the Bevellian.

"I can use white magic...and cast ice spells." Sitaten remained in her position until the sight of familiar black boots moved into her line of sight. Soon, the figure lowered himself, and reached to tilt her chin up with his hands.

"I shouldn't have asked." It was Shuyin, and he was apologizing. Surprised, Sitaten said nothing, she merely raised her eyebrows and stared into his eyes.

"You thought I was betraying you. You did what was best for the group." Satisfied with her understanding, he removed his hand from her chin but continued to size her up.

"Aeon." he muttered.

"What?" she furrowed her brows.

"You must have been exposed to Shiva, and had taken on her many qualities." Sitaten nodded in assent. He was probably right- she had always felt uneasy around fire, and could never produce lightning or water spells.

"And now my powers are shifting. I've never been able to see the memories or feel he emotions of the deceased before. At first it was just El, but then I started to hear children, and laughter, and..." she stopped herself and sucked in a deep breath.

"This girl, 'El', you remember her?" Shuyin seemed interested.

"Only her face...and then her nickname came to me while I was dreaming last night."

"So El isn't her real name?" Rikku asked. Sitaten shook her head no and began to bite her bottom lip.

"Stop that...you're hurting yourself." Shuyin used his thumb to pull her lip from the grip of her teeth. Blushing, Sitaten averted her eyes, "Doesn't hurt that much."

"Yes," Baralai said darkly, lowering his head, "I remember seeing the two of you together. Inseparable, you were." He was whispering.

"Do you remember her real name? Anything about her?" Sitaten perked up.

"How did you lose your memories, Sitaten? Are there any large gaps in time for you?" Baralai asked.

"Yes...most of them centered around her... and my mother. I don't know why I can't remember. It can become all so, so frustrating!" Sitaten choked back a scream.

"Maybe..." Rikku started, but stopped short. Kicking at the dirt nervously, she stared at her shoes, wondering if the next words to leave her mouth were appropriate. "Maybe you don't want to remember."