Aaaaiiiiiiii… so… much… school…. GAH! This is… so late. Crud. Cruddddd. -sighs- I was away part of the last couple weeks, and when I WAS home, not only was I drop dead tired, but I had a huge writing project for school to do… Which is finally freaking finished, but it kept me from writing this. Unfortunately, school comes before fic writing. -sniff- Also, I'm up to my neck in projects, so… uh… updates will be… Hopefully as quickly as I can. Forgive me. -collapse-

Anyway, I am NOT quitting the fic, nor am I going to take a hiatus or anything. I'm just warning you that any delays in updating are caused by school…

Maybe ONE darn day, I'll be able to update weekly. (HAH -strangled sob-)

Just a warning to any of you who are getting tired of this story, it still has a way to go… I've pretty much been figuring things out as I've been going along, but recently I figured out the whole plot line and mapped it… And uh… it's going to be a while yet before I'm finished with it. If you think it feels like it's being drawn out, do tell me…

All things FFX and FFX-2 belong to Square Enix.

In Reply to comments:

Elle-

Thank you so much for your kind words… Thank you SO much. It really brightened my day. I won't ever stop writing, that's for sure… I'm really glad that you like it and that it's touching. I'm trying hard to make it…

Also, this chapter has NOT been beta'd… Haven't heard back from my beta for a few days, so I decided to post it before it got any later. I'll upload a fixed version soon as I have it, but as it is, I checked through the best I could to find any mistakes.

Phew… 100 comments. I'm overwhelmed… Thank you ALL soooooo much for those comments, they mean so much to me, they push me to keep writing this. Since I've got 100 comments now… as a sort of thanks… I'll try to get the next chapter up in a week or less. -flop- Hope you like this chapter. Pleeeeease keep commenting.

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Chapter 14

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Yuna was standing on the beach of Besaid, looking over at the clear blue water in front of her. But her mind wasn't on the water, nor was it on the gulls flying through the cloudless sky. She was watching the practice Blitzball game with a smile. All the Aurochs were there, but most importantly to her, so was Tidus. Beside her she could see Lulu, watching with a rare smile as her son played in the sand at the waters edge.

Yuna looked back to the water, caught Tidus's eyes. He smiled at her, and waved, sending water flying as he did. He was enjoying himself, they all were. It was such a beautiful, happy day.

She waved back, smiling just as broadly as he was. The sun was pleasantly warm as it touched her face, and the sea breeze felt moist and cool.

Yuna turned away for a single moment, to look away up to the path behind them. She had heard something distant, like some kind of scream. Frowning, she peered over at the path, saw nothing.

Looking back to the beach, she blinked in surprise. Everyone was gone. No, not everyone. Tidus was still there, standing as happily as he'd been a moment earlier. She felt relieved, though confused. She attempted a smile, but the worry must have shown in her face. He frowned, tilted his head. Slowly he started to walk out of the water, towards her.

An overwhelming feeling of dread swept over her, and she moved toward him quickly, suddenly feeling a strong urge to touch him. She reached her hand out to him, crossing what seemed miles of air, and the moment slid to a halt.

The tips of her fingers brushed air.

They should have brushed his skin.

He raised his hand to take hers, but it moved through her hand like a shadow.

Most people would have screamed. Her throat was suddenly dry and no sound would come. Overwhelming emotions were washing over her as a pyrefly flickered past her eye. His eyes met hers. He tried to embrace her. She tried to reach out to him.

She passed through him, just like she had before. She felt the slithering feeling of despair wash over her as she spun around to see him. She felt as if she was falling into a dark abyss, from which there was no escape.

He was gone.

She twirled around in a frantic circle, looking in every direction. He was gone.

"NO!" She shouted as loud as she could, trying to tear away the reality with her hands. What had happened? Why had this been shattered again? Why couldn't he stay with her? She began to sob uncontrollably, unable to think, unable to feel. It was all empty inside, a dull pain throbbing in her heart. She fell to her knees in the sand, and sobbed aloud. Her tears fell on the sand, unnoticed by anyone. She was alone. The cool air suddenly seemed chilled and the sand harsh beneath her knees.

"Please no…"

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"Yuna?"

Her eyes snapped open. "No!" She shouted, the bright light of the cabin blinding her. It was daylight. She was sitting up in her bed. There was no beach, no water, no sand. It wasn't Besaid.

He held her tightly, whispering her name in her ear, stroking her hair.

"It's okay."

She shuddered, and collapsed inside, hugging him tightly. It'd just been a dream. A nightmare. He was still there. He was still beside her.

"What happened?" He asked softly, and slowly she opened her eyes. Rikku was sitting nearby, watching her cousin worriedly with a spoon halfway to her mouth. Her mouth opened in a wordless question. Yuna blinked once, barely nodded. Rikku slowly went back to eating, though she watched her cousin closely and looked terrified that something had happened.

Yuna swallowed tightly, finding her throat uncomfortably dry. She hadn't had a nightmare like since he'd come back. She didn't have the sense that it was some impending doom, but… The Fayth. It had to be the Fayth. It was becoming more desperate, trying to reach her any way it could. Perhaps. She hoped that's what it was. She prayed that's what it was, though she had no real idea anymore who to pray to. Perhaps the Aeons. The Farplane. They were the ones who had brought him to life in the first place.

"You…" The sound that was her voice died before she could even start. Her chest hurt, her heart hurt. It'd been a dream, but it'd been too real for her tastes. "You… disappeared…" She managed finally, swallowing hard.

His grip tightened.

"I'm not going to disappear." He sounded like he was trying to make himself believe it. It made her sick to the stomach, but it was the only thing she could believe. He was right. He had to be. If he was taken from her again, she didn't think she'd be able to stand it. She didn't want to think about what she'd turn into if he disappeared, after being able to see him like this. After being able to spend more time together with him then she'd ever had.

Tidus was smiling kindly at her, trying to coax her into smiling back. His eyes were glinting in the light, and some of the pain ebbed. No use focusing on what might happen.

'Keep your mind focused, Yuna. He's here. Focus on that. Not on worrying.' She tried to command herself, though she had the feeling she was failing miserably. She tried to smile.

"Is everything alright up here?" Paine's voice broke the moment, and Yuna almost felt relieved for the distraction.

"It's fine." Tidus answered for her, and they both turned to see Paine limping up the stairs. Her face was it's usual emotionless mask, but Yuna noticed a hint of worry in her eyes. How loudly had she been yelling?

Paine lifted an eyebrow silently as she came to a stop at the table where Rikku sat. She didn't press the matter. Rikku might have, if she'd been the one to come in suddenly. But it seemed Rikku had a good idea of what was going on and wasn't going to bother them.

"Guess I may as well get up." Yuna said quietly, watching as the warrior sat down at the table, wincing. She looked a lot better, but the wound still bore a bandage.

"Roger." He grinned at her, squeezing her hand. Trying to cheer her up. She still couldn't push the memory or the dream out of her mind. Of her hand passing through him. Falling through him.

She sat up and slid off the bed quickly. She had to move her mind to something else, and fast. He seemed to understand, and followed suit, moving ahead of her to sit down at the table across from Rikku.

"What's for breakfast?" He asked, looking over the table.

Rikku mumbled something inaudible through a mouthful of food.

"Sounds good." Paine rolled her eyes, and Rikku glared.

"Where is everybody?" A voice shouted from below suddenly. Rikku dropped her spoon and groaned loudly.

"It's too early for him!" She cried, putting her hands on her hips.

Brother made his way briskly up the stairs, and stopped with a look of sudden horror on his face.

"You're still eating?!" He shouted, looking shocked.

"Actually, just started." Tidus grinned cheerfully, grabbing a bowl and helping himself. Yuna smiled at Brother as she sat down, but it seemed lost on the Al Bhed.

"Nobody asked you!" He snapped, looking away from Tidus to Rikku. "Rikku, it's nearly noon! What are you doing down here?"

"Eating. What does it look like I'm doing?" Rikku shot back, swallowing loudly, and eyeing the bowl Tidus had grabbed eagerly. Tidus frowned at her and pulled away, trying to shield the food with his hand.

Brother scowled and opened his mouth to speak, when Cid appeared behind him from the stairs.

'Oh no…'

"Good morning!" Her uncle smiled cheerfully, striding past Brother to sit down at the now crowded table. By this time Rikku had leaned across the table, and attempted to snatch the bowl from Tidus.

Brother stood silently dumbfounded for a moment, as his father began to help himself to the food.

Apparently, he was surprised to see he was the only one who'd gotten up early to eat.

Tidus snatched the bowl back from Rikku, which resulted in a flurry of Al Bhed in his direction.

"That's mine!" She snapped, and Tidus frowned, grabbing it back.

"I had it first!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

Yuna slowly turned around to face the two, blinking wearily as she realized the day could only get worse.

"Give me that!" Brother snapped, reaching across Rikku and snatching the bowl away from the both of them. "I am Captain, I get to have it!"

"Quit telling us you're the Captain already, and do something Captain-ish! And gimme that back you bully!" Rikku squealed, elbowing him roughly as she attempted to reach for the bowl.

Brother dropped the bowl and the contents on the table, and was assaulted by a shrieking flurry of Al Bhed. Rikku's mood was not improving, nor was Yuna's regard to the morning so far.

'It'd be nice to just go back to bed…' She thought with a sigh, though she was terrified of the dreams that might greet her. Even though she was still tired from the previous day, she couldn't bring herself to try and sleep. Even if she'd had time to. Sighing, she knew they'd have to set off again, into who knew what, and face danger again. Another day of business for the Gullwings.

Reaching for another bowl herself, she quietly began to eat. While Rikku and Brother raged at each other in Al Bhed, Tidus was making short work of the contents of the bowl, grinning from ear to ear.

She forced herself to smile, and feel more cheerful, as she watched him.

"Why in tarnation do you two always have to fight over the food?" Cid bellowed suddenly, waving his hand towards Brother and Rikku, sending another bowl flying. From somewhere below, Yuna thought she could hear Barkeep groan. He'd be the one cleaning up, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

"She's a thief, father!" Brother grumbled loudly, glaring daggers at his sister as he reached for a fork.

"Tell me something I don't know!" Cid sighed, banging his hand on the table as Rikku grinned like some kind of wild monkey.

Yuna yawned meekly, trying to ignore the argument that was fast approaching. A flicker of the memory swept through her mind again and she cringed.

Tidus's eyes went to hers as she swallowed uncomfortably. Rikku seemed to notice and quickly handed Yuna a glass of water, pausing a moment in her raving of Al Bhed.

Somehow, she managed to smile to her cousin, and accepted it. "Thank you." She took a sip, and winced as the almost painfully cold water washed down her throat. It was refreshing, yet too much for her senses yet. She still didn't feel very awake, or rested for that matter.

"Yuna, Buddy said earlier that we've arrived at Mt.Gagazat." Paine announced quietly, looking up to Yuna from across the table, and ignoring the Al Bhed family completely. "But he didn't want to wake you up, so he said he'd just start scanning the mountain for any sign of a temple. He wanted you to report up to the bridge soon as you were awake and had something to eat."

Yuna nodded once, looking down at the plate in front of her. She was fast losing her appetite, though she knew she had to eat to keep strong for the day ahead. "Okay." She added softly, realizing the warrior may have not seen her small nod.

Paine said nothing, and resumed eating. Beside Yuna, Tidus was still eating as if there was no tomorrow. Yuna cringed. Not a good way to think of it, she realized too late. She felt even sicker. Turning to watch him, she sighed a little and rubbed her forehead. As if staring at him would make him stay. She hoped it would.

If Tidus noticed her gaze and what her eyes told him, he didn't show it. He just kept eating, giving her a smile between bites.

'How does he manage to eat so much?' She wondered blankly as the food quickly disappeared off the table. But then, Rikku was no better, nor Brother. The two of them had finally settled down, leaving their father to sulk, while they continued to eat.

"Well…" Cid announced after a long moment of silence had passed. Yuna swallowed a sip of water timidly, and Rikku scowled.

"Now what, old man?" She grumbled, stabbing a fruit with her fork and sending juices splattering all over Brother.

Cid scowled right back. "You keep your mouth shut for once! I don't want to go talking to you again. I wanted to ask Yuna something."

The table went silent, and all eyes seemed to fall on Yuna.

She swallowed another sip of water, and this time it seemed to catch in her throat.

"Yes?" She finally managed, trying not to cough as she felt herself choking.

"I was ah… wondering about all this running around unmarried business." He cleared his throat as Yuna stared at the food on her plate, wondering why it all somehow came back to that. Cid looked somewhat agitated, but pleased, and at the same time, awkward.

"Not that I have any objection to you running around having adventures, as you've clearly stated that's what you want to do in your life." Cid threw a scowl at Rikku, who looked as though she was going to complain.

"It's just… ah… well… Yuna, you're not getting any younger, and…. You know your father would have always-"

"Spit it out pops!" Rikku cried, glaring daggers at him as he seemed to be capable of rambling on till dinnertime.

"No, let him take his time!" Brother grumbled sullenly, looking as though the whole day had somehow just been ruined.

Cid glared at his two children, then looked back to Yuna. "What I'm trying to say is-"

"You want me to get married." Yuna said quietly, putting down her fork. She had completely lost her appetite now. Though now she felt somewhat cheerier, though… Worried.

"Uh, well, ah, you being a young lady… the High Summoner… Don't you think you should?"

By this time, Tidus has stopped eating and was sitting just as silently as the rest.

"What do you mean by that?" Rikku crossed her arms. "Are you saying Yuna should marry one of those idiots from Luca or Bevelle because she's the High Summoner?"

Cid shook his head quite vehemently, looking annoyed. "No no no! I'm not saying that at all! I wish you kids would listen!" He sighed, then looked back to Yuna. "Yuna, you know, they're going to keep hounding you, and well… People are going to start saying things… Especially since uh…" He nodded towards Tidus, as if that explained the situation. Grimly, she remembered Shelinda's appearance on the Commspheres. It could only get worse.

Yuna couldn't really bring herself to care about what Spira thought about her now, she'd done so much for them, but she could see where her Uncle was trying to get at. She already had enough attention, she didn't want to attract more.

But she didn't want to do anything because of what other people thought. If she was ever going to do something like that, again… She shuddered, surpressed the memories. If she was ever going to do anything like that, she wanted to do it when she was ready. Not when Spira thought she should because of the rumors going around. No High Summoner had ever been alive before. They'd all died fighting Sin. She should have, by tradition, but she was still alive. Spira was in awe of her, and they wanted to know everything about her. True, she didn't want to have a bad reputation, but she didn't want to have to live her life because she was something she'd never expected to be… Her mind trailed around and around in circles, as she stared down at her plate blankly.

'Why me?' She thought for a moment, then banished the thought. She had to be strong. Even if she didn't want to be part of Spira, she was, and that was that. She still had some responsibility, she couldn't go around worrying about everything and lose track of what was going on. But she wanted to live her own life… Her mind stuck, caught between her sense of duty, and her sense of wanting her freedom. Her face must have been getting dark indeed, because Paine suddenly looked up and drummed her fingers on the table.

"Do we have to talk about this right now?" Paine growled, putting down her glass none too gently. "We have a mission to finish. Plan Yuna's wedding afterwards."

"Yes." Yuna said quickly, feeling the center of attention again and not enjoying it. Given the chance, Cid and Rikku would try to start planning her wedding already. She wondered bleakly why everyone was so focused on her still. Spira saw her as the High Summoner, a singer, and now even her friends were constantly focusing on her. When was it going to end?

'And why do I keep asking myself that? When am I going to get an answer?'

"I'm going to go up to the bridge and talk to Buddy." She announced quickly after, not giving anyone the chance to even speak. Tidus nodded quietly, and with a small gesture indicated he was going to finish up breakfast before joining her. She gave a slight nod, then turned away, her mind reeling with things and possibilities.

"I'll come with you. I have a feeling I know where this conversation is going to go." Paine muttered, standing up and walking after Yuna. It turned out she was right. As Paine and Yuna walked out of the cabin, Yuna could already hear the bits of conversation drifting down from above.

"So when are you going to propose?" Rikku, sounding quite giddy.

A sound of someone choking. "Say what?" Tidus.

"You and Yunie!" Rikku again.

"You've proved yourself to this family!" Cid, sounding somewhat proud.

"But I-" Tidus again, who was run over verbally by Rikku.

"Of course you will! Come on, when? Oh this'll be so much fun! Yuna can wear a pretty dress again, and we can-" Rikku, who was suddenly verbally run over by Brother.

"ENOUGH!" He shouted, and that was all Yuna heard as the door behind them closed. She cringed a little, and tried to force herself to stop blushing.

"Don't let them bother you, Yuna." Paine said quietly, as they approached the elevator. "It's your life, you decide. Don't let them push you around either." Yuna was slightly surprised. She had expected that's what Paine had thought, but she hadn't expected her to voice it.

"Thanks." She replied awkwardly, not sure what to say back.

Paine said nothing for a long moment, as the elevator slowly made it's way to the bridge. As it went, Yuna couldn't help but think again of everything that was bouncing in her mind. The horrible dream, the Fayth, him, the idea of marriage… Not to mention all the usual worries. Spira's regard and dependency on her, her past, her future, what was she supposed to do… Her mind trailed off in various directions, finding no solutions to any of them.

Sighing, she stepped out of the elevator and onto the bridge.

'Maybe if we ever find this Fayth, I'll actually have a chance to sit down and think about all of this.' She thought grimly, as she put a smile on her face to greet Buddy.

"Good morning." He smiled calmly, and nodded to Paine. She didn't make any sort of reply, standing with her arms crossed at one of the computers.

"So, any sign of the Fayth?" Yuna asked, clasping her hands behind her back absently as she peered out of the windows. The Celsius was sitting on a huge expanse of snow, probably on the lower levels of Gagazat where it could actually land. Outside it was snowing, and looked terribly dreary and cold. Wonderful weather for hiking around in shorts and a T-shirt. She sighed, making a mental note to change into something warmer before they left.

"Unfortunately, no." Buddy sighed, shaking his head. "We've scanned the whole mountain, but there isn't any sign of anything unusual. But… We figure that's because of the Fayth Scar itself, and the snow. It's blocking our scanners, to the point of where they're uselessly feeding back information it thinks is real, but isn't." Yuna nodded slowly, feeling hope melt away. So much for the quick and easy way. Now they'd have to explore every inch of it by foot.

"So where do we start?" Paine asked, as if reading Yuna's mind.

Buddy went over to one of the computers, and signaled up a map. Pointing to a familiar location, he smiled. "Here."

Yuna's face brightened. "The Ronso! Of course, we can ask them if they know of anything."
"It's unlikely that the temple is located anywhere below where most people can get to. It'll probably be up in the area of the Fayth Scar and above."
"The Ronso's sacred ground." Paine said quietly.

"Yes. So you'll need permission from their Elder. But I'm guessing that won't be too big a problem."
Yuna grinned in spite of all the awful things floating through her mind. "It shouldn't be."

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'To say it's cold, would be one heck of an understatement.' Tidus shivered, standing out in the middle of the snowfield while the others trailed out of the Celsius. Buddy had supplied them all with thick winter coats, but even those didn't seem to block the piercing cold wind that shrieked by. Tidus's hair was whipping around his head, as he had bluntly refused to wear a hood. Well, maybe that'd been a mistake. But there was no use going back now, Rikku would never let him hear the end of it.

Grimly, he turned around to watch the others huddling together in a group, saying their farewells to Brother, Buddy, and Calli. The young girl had helped make the coats, apparently, and she hadn't done a half-bad job either. Though, it was still cold.

Yuna turned away first, looking over the field until she spotted him. She waved once, then pulling her hood over her head, slowly began to make her way over. She was dressed in the same kind of coat he was, though it was more fitted to her size and was white as the snow around her. Not the best color for being seen well in, if she happened to get lost.

'She's not going to get lost.' He muttered to himself, smiling as Yuna came to a halt a few paces away from him.

"It's a bit colder then I remember." Tidus announced, watching his breath come out in puffs of white cloud. Yuna grinned a little, gripping her coat tighter around her.

"Next time maybe you shouldn't wear shorts."

"What about you, Yuna?" He grinned right back at her, and saw a bit of red enter her cheeks as she looked away. He'd meant to tease, and for a moment, regretted saying anything.

"It was kind of Rikku's idea." She said quietly, sounding embarrassed and self-conscious.

"You look fine." He started, and was cut off from saying anything more when Rikku bounded over, in her bright yellow coat.

"Oh well of course you like it!" She stuck her tongue out at him, though afterwards seemed to regret it as a cold gust of wind went by. She shivered and started jumping up and down, waving her arms around like some kind of bird.

"Why can't it be warm for once?" Rikku cried, looking quite unhappy.

"I knew it wouldn't take long for you to start complaining." Paine muttered, coming up between the three of them. Though Rikku's yellow coat and Tidus's blue one stood out well against the snow, Paine's black form seemed to stand out like a sore thumb. Tidus wondered briefly if it had been such a good idea to let Calli choose the colors after all.

"Well, are we going to get moving or not? Buddy and Brother are going to check the upper levels of Gagazat, where we found those ruins. They'll be there all day until it's time to come pick us up, around dark." The warrior announced, ignoring the bouncing Al Bhed beside her.

"No use staying here and freezing." Tidus shivered, really starting to regret not taking the coat with the hood.

"Let's go." Yuna started off towards the stairs that would lead them up to the Ronso's home, when Rikku let out a wail.

"No! We can't go yet!"

Everyone turned to look at Rikku, who grinned sheepishly. "Mission time! Come on, Yunie!"

Yuna sighed, though she didn't look irritated, unlike Paine.

"Alright. Gullwings… Let's go!" She held out her hand, and Rikku put her own over top of it. Tidus did the same, though it was a moment before Paine followed suit.

"This is ridiculous." Paine muttered, but a smirk seemed to be on the edge of her lips.

Yuna grinned, spinning around again to head back up to the stairs. Rikku skipped after her, Tidus following closely behind. He could hear Paine bring up the rear, always on the alert.

The walk wasn't a long one, Buddy had managed to land close to the tunnel that led up to the Ronso's 'village'. Though why it was called a village, Tidus never could figure out. He'd never seen any kind of houses or places where the Ronso might have slept. It was likely though those were hidden in the mountain somewhere, where no one other then a Ronso would ever find them.

Walking up the stairs behind Yuna, he felt memories slip back into place. The time when he'd traveled with Yuna and the others to Zanarkand was nothing more now then a memory, but it was still fresh in his mind. The last time they'd come here, the greeting had not been a welcome one…

"Kimarhi!" Yuna smiled, waving her hand as they turned the corner and entered the large clearing. The Ronso turned to face them, and Tidus could see a small smile on his face. Though he was smaller then the rest of his people, he somehow managed to hold an air about him that was almost overpowering. The first time Tidus had seen him, he remembered feeling quite intimidated. That'd changed when he'd actually met Kimahri and began to understand him more, but that intimidation always lingered.

"Yuna. Kimarhi glad to see you." He bowed his head a little, in respect, as Yuna and the others came to a halt in front of him. Another Ronso, a female, stood at his side, watching them with curiosity and a friendly eye.

Tidus liked this welcome better already.

Kimarhi looked them over silently, one by one, his large head barely moving as he stood proudly in the blowing snow. He nodded once to Tidus, perhaps another show of respect. He'd seemed to accept Tidus a long time ago, when he realized he could trust him to protect Yuna just as much as he'd sworn to.

Kimarhi turned back to Yuna, his fierce gaze somewhat melting.

"What brings Yuna here?" He asked, his tail twitching a little as a gust of wind swept by.

"Well, it's kind of a complicated story…" Yuna sighed, looking down at the snow.

"To make it short, we need to search the mountain for a temple." Paine cut in, crossing her arms over her chest.

Kimarhi regarded Paine coolly, then returned his stone gaze on Yuna. He was waiting to hear the story, one that he knew Yuna would tell, given the chance.

Yuna knew when to keep things brief, and it didn't take long for Kimarhi to understand what they wanted. He had already known about the fiends, and Yuna's search for the source of them. He seemed pleased with her progress, and not at all upset at their request.

"Kimarhi trust Yuna. Yuna may go up the mountain to seek this temple. But strong fiends have been around the Scar. Yuna must be careful."

"We will, don't worry." She smiled genuinely, looking up at the big Ronso with what could only be child like affection. He'd been her protector for so many years, Tidus guessed she probably was still getting used to him being an Elder. He'd taken her to Besaid after her father had died 'defeating' Sin, and though the Ronso never seemed to warm up to anyone, there was no doubt a bond had formed between the two.

Kimahri nodded once, then looked up to the mountainside. "Kimarhi and Gerra will take you to the pass. There Ronso must stay, Elder's place is with Ronso." He nodded to wards the road that would lead them through the winding passes of snow, eventually, to the pass. From there they could either enter the tunnels, or search above the Fayth Scar. Beside him, the female Ronso also nodded, and Tidus took that to mean she was 'Gerra'.

"You don't have to come, Kimarhi, we'll be fine." Rikku chirped, though Yuna shook her head.

"We'd be happy if you came with us, Kimarhi."

He seemed to smile, then turned away and began walking. His long strides were hard to keep up with, but Tidus quickly got used to it. He'd done it countless times back… then.

As the group walked, the two Ronso in the lead, Yuna walked quickly to go beside Kimarhi. Neither of them said anything, but both seemed to look a little happier in a way. Tidus grinned, and tried to ignore the fact his ears felt like they were going to fall off from the cold.

"Kimarhi…" Paine said after a moment, calling out to the Ronso in the front. As he walked, he turned his head, looking to the warrior with his expressionless gaze. Paine walked a little faster to catch up, then looked around the mountains.

"Are there any places here that could be considered a temple?" She asked, and Tidus found himself wondering why he hadn't thought to ask that.

Kimarhi considered for a long moment as they walked. Finally, he shook his head slowly, then looked back to the path in front of them. Due to the Ronso's long pace, they were making good time. The near running also served to help warm him up, Tidus found.

"Kimarhi not know of any place like temple on Sacred Mountain. Fayth Scar and Path to Zanarkand are the only places temple like."

Paine frowned, and said nothing more. The group walked in long silence for a moment, before Gerra spoke. Her words were even less eligible then Kimarhi's, it was clear she was not used to speaking anything other then the Ronso language.

"Ruins above Scar are Sacred. Ronso rarely travel up. Tunnels go deep in Mountain. Not much traveled. Maybe Temple there. High Summoner go there."

Yuna's eyes brightened a little, as she looked back to the group behind her.

"I guess that'll have to do." She said quietly, then looked over to Paine. "We're not going to be able to explore both today if we all stick together. It'll take too long."

Paine shrugged. "Me and Rikku can go up past the Fayth Scar." Rikku looked as though she was going to argue, but as the idea of tunnels seemed to form in her mind, she clamped her mouth shut. Apparently, she was still connecting the word 'tunnels' with Bevelle, and Tidus couldn't really blame her for it.

"Okay, then we'll take the tunnels." Tidus tried to grin, motioning to himself and Yuna.

Yuna nodded once, caught his gaze, smiled, and then looked back to Kimarhi.

"Is that alright, Kimarhi?"

He nodded once. "Kimarhi trust Yuna, and friends. Ronso will help if Yuna is in danger."

She smiled. "We'll be fine, we've been here before."

The Ronso said nothing, and continued to walk in silence.

"Except the fact the fiends are stronger now…" Rikku muttered quietly, looking unhappy and cold.

"Don't worry Rikku, I'll protect you." Paine snorted, looking away to hide a small grin.

"I don't need your help, besides, you're injured! You shouldn't even be here!" Rikku retorted, glaring daggers of ice.

Paine snorted again. "I'm fine, no thanks to that fool you call a brother." She seemed to pause for a moment, testing her leg as she walked. Nodding, she shrugged. "The walk will do it good."

"Don't push yourself." Yuna warned, looking behind her again with a look of worry. "We don't need you collapsing."

Paine scowled. "I'm fine. I wish you'd all stop worrying."

"It's just because we care!" Rikku chirped, grinning from ear to ear.

Paine regarded her icily. "I can still go back to the airship you know."

"Oh no you can't!" Tidus grinned, pointing above them.

Looking up, the Celsius could be seen, between a few drifts of cloud, rising up the mountain towards the ruins. Paine sighed, but didn't say anything more. Rikku giggled, then began jumping up and down as she walked, trying to keep warm.

The remainder of the walk was in silence, but Tidus didn't mind. It gave him a chance to focus more on what was going on. He'd probably have to fight a few battles, he had to make sure he was awake and focused. It wasn't something he usually worried about, but he wasn't about to be careless now. He watched Yuna as she walked beside Kimarhi, smiling up at the Ronso despite the worry in her eyes. Even with the hood over top of her head, and the long coat trailing down to her booted feet, she still seemed beautiful.

"Heyy, quit staring!" Rikku whispered, smacking Tidus on the arm and bringing him back to the cold reality that blew around him.

"What?" He asked innocently, looking at her with what he hoped was a look of confusion.

She grinned and shook her head, punching him in the arm again. Before either of them could say anything more, Kimarhi abruptly halted. Looking ahead, Tidus was surprised to see them at the pass. It hadn't taken them very long at all.

"Thank you, Kimarhi, for escorting us." Yuna was saying, smiling again and bowing to the Ronso Elder. He smiled visibly, crossing his arms as he watched the four group together.

Kimarhi didn't say anything in reply, but he didn't really need to. Yuna bowed again, then turned around to face the others. Behind her, Kimahri quietly spoke a few words to Gerra, then began to walk back down the path. Tidus watched them for a moment before focusing his attention back to Yuna. The two Ronso seemed close, somehow. She looked as though she was some kind of helper, maybe an aid to the Elder or something. But then again… Maybe she was his mate? Though knowing Kimarhi, they'd probably never find out. Still, Tidus was somewhat curious. He'd have to ask Yuna about that one day.

"Okay guys, here we go again." Yuna wasn't smiling anymore, and despite her best efforts, was looking slightly anxious. "We'll meet back here just before dusk, alright?" She looked around, they all nodded silently.

"But how are you going to know what time it is? You'll be down in those… tunnels!" Rikku suddenly asked, shivering from the fear and not the cold.

"We'll keep track of the time, don't worry." Yuna smiled, trying to look as though she believed herself.

"Well, let's not waste anymore time. See you guys later." Paine nodded, then started walking towards the Fayth Scar. Rikku made a slight squeal, as if Paine had started off before she was ready, then looked back to Yuna anxiously.

"We can still go together you know!"

"Rikku, we have to search the mountain today. We're running out of time." She hugged her cousin, and closed her eyes. "Be careful."

Rikku sighed, hugged her cousin back, then let go. "You too, Yunie." She looked over to Tidus, and smirked. "You take care of Yunie or else!"

He grinned in reply, and crossed his arms. "Get going already!" Rikku was about to say something more, when she looked over to Paine. The warrior was almost out of sight. Shrieking, Rikku ran off after her, waving her arms around and looking somewhat frantic.

Laughing a little, Yuna turned around to face Tidus. Her laughter soon melted away and was replaced with a grim look. He reached out to take her hand, giving it a squeeze. She tried to smile, but looked somewhat pained. He could almost see the screams echoing in her eyes.

'This has to end.'

"Here we go again." Tidus quoted her, starting into the tunnels. She followed quietly, staying close, as the darkness soon began to shadow over them and the dim lights of the cave plants came into view. It wasn't as eerie as Bevelle, but it still had a creepy manner to it. Tidus hadn't enjoyed it much the first time around, and he couldn't imagine he'd enjoy it any more this time.