No Matter How Dark the Night Chapter 2

Disclaimer- I don't own FFX or anything associated with it

Ok, It's official! I got my 1st review yesterday- Thanks soooo much ebil- nanaki! This one's for you!

Isthia sat lost in thought at the end of her first day as an apprentice summoner in a small chamber designed for that purpose in the palace of St. Bevelle. To her surprise, learning white magic had come very easily to her. While most of her comrades were struggling to learn the invoking movements associated with spell-casting, Isthia's natural grace had come into play, allowing her to perform the dance-like movements with ease. By the end of the day, she had managed a weak casting of cure, to her instructor's amazement.

"We've only had a very few that were able to cure within one day. You will go far, apprentice summoner." Isthia had blushed under the complement, and the ensuing applause issuing from her classmates. With her hypnotizing beauty and gentle disposition, she had earned many male admirers and a goodly number of female friends. A few sat with her now, meditating on the lessons learned that day. But Isthia found she could not concentrate. Instead her thoughts were wandering to encompass a certain powerfully built 18-year-old whose company she had enjoyed that morning overlooking Bevelle.

Auron too, was having difficulty concentrating on the swordsmanship lessons he was currently occupying. Since he was old enough to swing a sword, he had practiced faithfully three hours every day, and the movements he was having to learn were puerile to his well-developed skill. He sighed in exasperation, his thoughts wandering to Isthia.

He had first met her when he was 14. She had been 12 then, and a group of boys were picking on her. "Yah, stupid orphan! You'll never make summoner! You can't even defend yourself- how are you going to fight Sin?" Isthia was crouched down in the sand, trying to protect herself from the blows rained down on her head. Auron stepped in. "Let her alone," he said quietly, his practice katana still held over his shoulder. He would never know if it was the threat of his using that to back up his point or the quiet menace in his voice, but the group slunk off to bother something more vulnerable.

Auron knelt down beside the girl. "It's ok- they've gone." He reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, and Auron gulped. She was gorgeous. Large, crystalline silver-blue eyes, framed by inky raven hair in thick ringlets, porcelain skin, and a perfect figure. Tears stood in her eyes, but she managed a smile. "Thanks," she said softly. "I owe you one." Auron took a deep breath as the musical cadence that was her voice reached his ears. "Aw, it's nothing. But we'd better go find your parents and get you cleaned up." Isthia hung her head. "Don't have parents. I'm a ward of the temple." "Oh," Auron said. "Well, come on to my place. Mom will take care of you and then we'll get you back to the temple." He stood up and brushed himself off, holding out his hand. She took it, he helped her up, and led her away in the direction of his house.

From then on, they were inseparable. They went everywhere, did everything together- and of course, fell in love. Isthia found in him the love she'd never had from anyone, and Auron wondered at his luck of having such an angel. They knew nothing would ever tear them apart.

Auron was recalled from his musings as the instructor dismissed the class. He practically ran out of the arena, only to meet Isthia emerging from the meditation chamber. He dropped his katana and ran to her, sweeping her off her feet and whirling her around. "You did it! You survived your first day!" Isthia laughed. "Put me down, you big lunk! Of course I survived! And so did you by the looks of things." Auron set her down. "Barely. I nearly died of boredom! The stuff we had to do- I was doing it when I was nine!" Isthia smiled and rubbed his arm. "Then why don't we go do something more entertaining?" Auron grinned. "Whatcha got in mind?" "Weeeelll...." Isthia smiled back. "Come with me." Auron happily obliged.

Well, what did you think? And ebil-nanaki, I haven't forgotten about Auron's arranged marriage. We'll get to that in the next few chappies. Please R&R! C-ya soon!