Chapter 3: Warrior in Hobo's Clothing

A/N: Guess what's back- Back again- Yeah, it's back- Tell a friend- Guess what's back, Guess what's back…Anyways, like I said in those doctored Eminem lyrics, Loving and Losing is back! Review replies are at the end for all who care. Onto chapter 3…

"There's going to be a lot of trouble and I say bring it on." – Angel, "Angel: The Series", "Dear Boy"

"Lark?" A voice called out.

The young woman grunted and turned over. Yet again, her name was called, though she refused to answer. Seconds later, she felt a light tap on her arm. Eyes fluttering open slowly, she yawned and drowsily sat up. Groaning in frustration, she glared at whom had woken her up. "No offense, but I'm not really a morning person."

"Well, you do wish to become a guardian, do you not?" The summoner asked patiently.

Somewhat surprised, her brow furrowed in confusion. "So, you're giving me a chance?"

Braska eyed at the girl questioningly and nodded. "I am. But you must first prove yourself."

"How?" Lark queried, still a bit perplexed.

The summoner smiled warmly. "I suppose that is what we'll find out."

She nodded gratefully and smiled as well. "I suppose we will."

---

"Are ya sure?" The blitzer queried, a bit surprised at the actions of his summoner.

Expecting this question, he turned to the guardian. Both Auron and Jecht were perplexed by Braska's decision to give the young girl a chance, though somehow the future unsent had figured he would. Braska glanced at his guardians. "Yes, I am sure."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Auron replied in a questioning tone.

Before another word could be exchanged, the raven-haired young woman walked onto the deck, clad in the odd apparel she had landed here in: a white (well, not any more) t-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of socks. Her long hair was currently up in a messy bun, which did not help the image that was coming across to the three men in front of her. Her eyes went from her outfit to the summoner and his guardians. "Um, I have a feeling that I wear this here, I'll be sticking out like a sore thumb."

"You should trust that feeling." Auron quipped. Lark glared at him, folding her arms.

Motioning for his guardians to follow, the summoner began to walk towards the dock into Kilika. "We'll see if we can find something in the village."

---

Nalana, one of the best seamstresses in the known area, seamed to be more the happy to help a summoner in need. Of course, she never knew it would be as much a chore as it was to help a foreigner such as Lark. Considering the short notice, all there was to choose from was what was already made. The summoner and two guardians waited in the main room as they listened to the obvious struggle between the two women behind the door.

"I'm not wearing that!" Lark shouted again.

The middle aged woman sighed. "Why not?"

"It's pink!"

"What is wrong with pink?!"

"I hate pink!"

Again shuffling was heard. "And this?"

"Okay, I'm stuck with three men until I find a way home. Do you SEE how SHORT that skirt is?"

"I see your point." Shuffling. "What about if this was over the skirt?"

A pause. "Well, maybe if I can have the belt, too."

"Fine."

"Alright."

As all talking stopped, silence continued for several minutes. Again, voices were heard on the other side of the door. "Are you ready?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'm telling you it's too short!"

"It's fine."

"Then can you recommend where I can find someone who sells weapons, preferably swords?"

"Why?"

"Just in case anyone gets any ideas."

The woman sighed again. "Just go out there."

"Alright!" With that, the door slowly opened, revealing Lark, clad in a one strap forest-green top, with a dark blue strap sewn on the other side. Her skirt, which was impossibly short (think 'Rikku, X-2' short), was the same shade of green, with a thin blue piece of silk cover part of it and a black leather belt hanging off the other side of her hip. Blue and green pieces of fabric were tied onto the upper part of her left arm, as a black arm band adorned her right, matching her black leather boots. And on her wrists hung thick gold bracelets. Her hair and make up she had obviously fixed to match the outfit. Her dark hair hung down past mid-back, finishing off her look. As the three acknowledged the girl's new appearance, Auron seemed fascinated by how the young woman carried herself when she walked into the room, something he hadn't really noticed when she arrived. She folded her arms impatiently, titling her head and raising an eyebrow. "Are we ready?"

Braska shook his head. "Not quite yet."

---

The new warrior nodded in approval. "I like it. It's very…very…"

"You?" The summoner asked.

Still studying the object, she smiled. "Exactly."

"It's just like mine." Jecht commented, a bit unnerved.

"Yes, but mine's better." Lark responded light-heartedly. "Silver's a lot better."

"Just keep tellin' yourself that."

The other two rolled their eyes as Lark and Jecht bickered over who had a better sword.

"Both of your swords were forged by the same hand on the same night. They're one in the same." Braska explained.

Gingerly, Lark picked up the sword, with surprising ease. Her smile grew wider the more she studied her new weapon. She turned to her new comrades. "Now, I'm ready."

---

After picking up a few more supplies such as potions and weapons, the four decided to start towards Kilika Temple. Starting into the 'jungle', Lark trailed behind nervously. Eyes darting in the darkness, she kept one hand on her sword at all times. A few steps ahead, she glanced at the one of them who had said the least to her. And that simple fact is what frustrated her the most. Something about that silence from the future unsent irked her more than she thought it should. Deep in thought, her eyes somehow kept going back to him. What is up with him? Why do I even care? Why does something seem-

"What is it?"

wrong, her thoughts finished. She blinked a few times, acknowledging the question. Walking a bit faster to catch up, she titled her head to look at him. "Hmm?"

"Why do you insist on staring so much?" He asked in the same slightly irritated voice.

"I wasn't staring," She retorted defensively.

He glanced down at her for a split second. "Of course not."

"I wasn't!" She protested, but before Auron could say anything in response, the four guardians found themselves face-to-face with a few fiends. Looking around at the monsters, Lark pulled out her sword, gripping it tightly, and got into fighting stance. "I guess it's time to trying this thing out."

The red-clad guardian eyed her questioningly. "Are you ready for this?"

She glanced at him for a moment, then turning back to the fiends, she smirked. Strength of the warrior, huh? Guess we'll find out.

TBC

To see Lark's costume (or at least a very crappy drawing of it) go to (w/o the spaces of course) www . geocities . com / buffynserenarok / larksffxcosplay . jpg

Next Chapter- The Battle Begins…

Real-fan05- Thank you so much! I've already begun writing it.

YojimbosBlade- I'm very glad you like your Auron clone. Good luck with that whole 'killing people' thing!

ROGMethos- Thanks!

Sydney Daimao- I'll try and update as sooner, but I can't make any promises (damn school).

Solecito- Thanks. I agree with it being cooler making the story about Braska's pilgrimage instead of Yuna's (thus writing it). It was really hard to come up with a beginning. My original idea was much more confusing, though.

Thanks for reviewing peeps. Join us next time as Lark and Auron become closer!!! Dun, dun, DUN!!!!!!!!!!!!