AN: Keep the reviews coming! I'm loving them! Also, I'm not really sure I like this chapter all that much...tell me what you think!

In Her Eyes – Part Four

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"Nothing more than plain scars," I breathed, "What could you find to be so intriguing?"

"Not amusing," Rikku said, "But...just...fascinating,"

I chuckled as I wrapped my buckle around my waist. Yes, Jecht, you were right. Ladies adored battle scars, didn't they?

"Lady Yuna is waiting," I said a little too harshly for my tastes. Rikku's eyes snapped up to meet mine, a hint of red splashing across her cheeks.

"Yes, yes, of course! Yunie...she's probably mad I took so long!!"

I frowned. Surely Lulu would have some sort of comment if she saw Rikku and I were the last ones to arrive outside of the Inn together.

"I will stay," I said, "Tell Lady Yuna and the others to go on without me,"

"What?" Rikku stopped immediately and spun around to face me. "But...I thought you wanted to go to the Farplane?"

"I don't...I don't belong there," I muttered darkly, turning my back towards her.

"Please," Rikku pleaded, "Come with me!"

My frown deepened. "Fine. Come."

* * *

Things got worse from that point on. Lady Yuna's eyes were shining with such uncertainty and such vagueness. To make matters even worse, Tidus continued the throw poisonous looks of loathing at me every other moment. Such immaturity... I refused to respond to him and kept my shades up.

Rikku was trying desperately to comfort Tidus. I watched her hand move over his shoulder soothingly, but he merely shook it off. If he looked within himself, he'd realize that he wasn't angry at me. He was angry because Lady Yuna had been proposed to. If only Jecht could see how his only son was behaving...

"What have you done?" Lulu whispered, walking briskly to keep up with me. "Why is Tidus behaving like this?"

"If you hadn't noticed," I said, "the boy is in love,"

Lulu stopped in her tracks and blinked. "No...you can't possibly mean...?"

"Hmph. Don't be so blind," I muttered, "Surely you've noticed how overprotective he has been lately?"

Lulu sighed and nodded. "When I first met him..."

Lulu never got to finish her story, as we had approached the Farplane. It wasn't a long walk at all, merely a little climb and we were there. However, I was in a way thankful that I was unable to listen to Lulu recount her meeting with Tidus. I didn't like dwelling in the past. It brought me so much dissatisfaction that it was revolting.

"Lu," Wakka came up from behind and touched her shoulder, "I'm going in, ya? Maybe...maybe I'll see him, ya?"

Suddenly, Lulu's brows folded. She glanced away as Wakka left through the entrance.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing." Lulu replied, "Nothing at all." She said, and with that, departed through the entrance, keeping her walk brisk and quick.

I glanced over my shoulder and was astonished to find Tidus staring at me.

"Aren't you going in?" Tidus growled slightly.

"No." I retorted as I sat myself upon the steps leading towards the Farplane and gazed away from it.

"Why not?"

I snorted. "I do not belong there. Dwelling in the past is nothing but a waste of one's time."

Tidus merely shrugged and walked towards Rikku. I heard her say faintly before Tidus disappeared in the Farplane:

"Memories are nice...but, that's all they are."

I resided there on the step uncomfortably, glancing back at the Farplane. So much time had elapsed now, and the silence was gradually becoming unbearable. I stole a glance at her and frowned. I was completely disgusted with myself...

"Sir Auron?" Rikku asked suddenly as she brought her knee to her chest, hugging it.

"Hm?" I barely acknowledged her and quickly moved my gaze away elsewhere.

"Why...why do Summoners sacrifice themselves?" Her eyes were no longer there. She stared off into the distance, shining with such a glassy expression. "Why must Yunie die?"

I was a little surprised that someone of her nature had suddenly turned so somber, but otherwise sighed deeply. This wasn't exactly a talk I had been looking forward to...but it was better than explaining this to Tidus. The poor fool would be heartbroken. "She chooses what she wills. Her path was decided long ago." I muttered.

"But it's not right," Rikku whispered, "Why must she—"

"They die for the sake of Spira," I said darkly, closing my eyes and moving my hand up to my shoulder to massage the spot where my sword usually resided, "They choose to die to bring the calm to us,"

"But in vain?" Rikku cried, "They die only to have Sin come back again?"

"It is more complicated than it seems," I said, "Summoners...they bring hope to the people,"

"Hope for what?" Rikku turned her head and stared at me, "What hope are they giving? What kind of hope is it when Yevon are offering people's lives just to bring a calm that will not last? Building up the hope of people just to have it crushed when Sin returns...what kind of hope is that?"

I frowned. She did have a point, but then again...

"There is much you have yet to learn,"

"Then teach me!" Rikku pleaded desperately. She turned around and fell to her knees before me and placed her hand on top of mine. "Teach me, Sir Auron. I want to understand it so badly," She enveloped my hand within both of hers and stared into my eyes. Her hands were incredibly soft...and yet...

I stared into her eyes long and hard, pondering what I should say next. I glanced at her hand, and grunted. "In time, you will learn." I said quietly, pulling away from her grasp and once again resumed sitting on the spot on the stair. Rikku let her hands fall to her side in defeat. She turned around once more and sat upon the rail, shivering.

"There are things you, too, must learn," she whispered, "Yunie...she is closer to me than you think..."

I averted my gaze elsewhere, anywhere but her eyes. It was painful for me to see her so sad and weary. So unlike herself.

The rest of the time we sat in silence, moving only to adjust ourselves every now and then.

* * *

I remember noticing how Tidus' mood had improved considerably when they returned when I sat on the edge of my bed at the Inn that night, redressing my wounds once again. It seemed my wound had gotten worse over time...

The once healed wound had opened again, and the sight was nothing short of disgusting.

I grunted with every peel of a bandage, squeezing my eyes shut and clenching my teeth every time I unwrapped a small strip from my arm. In the bed next to me, the Ronso stirred. I was careful not to wake him as I finished removing my dressings, but couldn't help myself when I peeled off the last binding.

I heaved a sigh and stared down at my arm, which was caked with excretion and dried blood. I didn't let Lady Yuna heal me after I took that bite from that fiend, for I was too proud, probably. I never used any of Lulu's potions, as I was too cautious to save them for Lady Yuna or Tidus. But now that Rikku had joined us on our journey, I was going to also have to watch how much I ate. I wanted to save everything for them, and I was willing to sacrifice just that.

I continued to examine my arm. I noted how my flesh was severed down my forearm and continued to trail up to the point where my arm bent. I frowned, staring at the torn flesh with disgust. I was going to have to ask Lady Yuna to heal me—whether I wanted to or not—before we departed to see Measter Seymour.

Suddenly, I lurched with such detestation.

Measter Seymour... I had yet to confront him about that damned comment he had about me. The one that could have blown my cover.

If anyone found out I was unsent...

That spiteful bastard...

I had made up my mind. I slipped my unwrapped arm into my coat and—ignoring the fire that throbbed in my limb—I departed from the Inn, on my way to Measter Seymour's chamber.

* * *

I was surprised to find the doors unguarded and the halls empty and bare. Normally, Measters would be highly guarded at all times for any circumstances, including mine.

I placed a palm on the door and pushed it open, finding myself in the entrance room where Measter Seymour first welcomed us. Where he proposed to Lady Yuna. Where he nearly blew my cover.

"Sir Auron," A calm voice rippled through the room, causing me to jerk slightly. "what a pleasant surprise,"

"Seymour," I muttered darkly, "I've come to confront you about your little comment,"

Seymour stepped out of the shadows and chuckled softly, clasping his long claw-like fingers together. 'Ah, but it is true, is it not?"

"You yourself know of Yevon and the Summoners," I hissed, "I would expect you to hold your tongue,"

"I apologize with my utmost sincerity," Measter Seymour said with a bow, "But I just find it amusing that your little friends have yet to figure out you are an unsent guardian,"

I only grunted. "Just make sure you don't make the same mistake twice."

"Tell me," Measter Seymour mused, a smiled dancing along his face, "how was your visit to the Farplane?"

"I don't belong there," I growled, my hand tightening its grip on my sword.

"Such temper, such temper..." he scolded, chuckling once more, "I'm surprised that a pretty young desert flower finds your harsh appearance striking,"

I eyes widened in horror. "W-what?"

"Oh," Lord Seymour sighed dramatically, "don't tell me you haven't noticed? The way she gripped your arm when I brought you Lady Yunalesca's image...oh, do try and cover that shocked look on your face. You look ridiculous,"

Immediately, my hand snapped up to cover my face, but instead caused my glasses to fall off the bridge of my nose, hitting the floor with a sharp crack.

"You..."

"I mean that delightful little Al Bhed girl." Measter Seymour grinned, "The way her eyes travel over your form with such admiration..."

I gritted my teeth and fought the urge to impale him right there. "You leave her—"

"I wonder," Measter Seymour smiled wryly, "if she has a taste for the dead? Perhaps if she knew you were dead..."

"Leave her out of this!" I roared as I thrust my katana with all my strength at the smirking Lord. Measter Seymour only stretched his left arm out and stepped back, causing my blade to stop in mid-air.

"I suggest you control your temper, Sir Auron, or I may just have to send you," Seymour muttered. His eyes narrowed and locked onto mine as I pushed my sword against his invisible power, desperate for a strike. I clenched my teeth and dug my heel into the ground, throwing all of my body weight against him.

"Resistance is futile," I growled, shifting my feet once more.

The Measter only laughed haughtily, "Your gaze is nothing near intimidating,"

"Enough!"

On that word, I pushed out with all of my might against Measter Seymour's shield. However, had it not been for that one lucky moment where Measter Seymour stumbled upon a stray chair that resided behind him, I would not have powered over him. He hit the floor suddenly, flying over the chair.

He groaned and touched his head tenderly, his eyes shut as he focused on the pain that coursed through his temples.

I stood over him, my sword once again leaning over my shoulder. "Leave," I snarled, "Leave tonight or you will fall beneath my sword,"

Measter Seymour chuckled and stood up, dusting himself off. "You really think you can defeat me?"

"With ease," I muttered.

"I'm afraid we will most certainly have that opportunity to test your confidence," Measter Seymour smirked, "I will be in Macalania Temple by early morning, waiting for Lady Yuna's answer of course. You keep silent of tonight's events, and I will hold back your secret on my word,"

He moved towards the door.

"Oh, and Sir Auron?"  Seymour chuckled, "I would keep an eye on that Al Bhed girl. She may be joining you in death sooner than you believe,"

"Is that a threat?" I growled.

He chortled, but I noticed his eyes travel over my sword, but his look of confidence around him did not falter.

"I see the way you eye my sword,"

"Really, now?"

"Do not hide your fear of death,"

"Death?" he mused, "I welcome death,"

My eyes hit the floor, blood rushing to my face. "Death," I murmured, my eyes narrowing into slits as they met his, "it is not what you think,"

"For you, perhaps," Measter Seymour smiled wryly and placed his palm on the door, "Now, if you will, I bid you goodnight, Sir Unsent Auron,"

He left me alone in the parlor, my mind racing with questions.

"She may be joining you in death sooner than you believe,"

His calm cool voice still flowed in my ears, haunting me. In a rage, I let out an anguished cry and slammed my katana into the marble flooring, causing the floor to shatter beneath me.

I imagined him standing behind me, laughing. "Temper, temper, Sir Auron," I fell to my knees, my hands reaching shakily for my glasses.

I left Measter Seymour's chambers that night, unsure of how Lady Yuna's pilgrimage was going to turn out.

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AN: I debated whether I should put in a small piece of the next part in, but in the end I didn't want to, so this chapter may be a little too short. Anyway, I promise to update soon. I have the next chapter done already and there's a lot of Aurikku coming up in the next chapters, so all you Aurikku lovers will be pleased. I wasn't really sure about the Measter Seymour and Auron dialect, but oh well, I hoped you enjoyed it. If you guys have any requests such as change Auron's mood or take out the dialogue between Auron and Measter Seymour or if you want more fluff, just tell me. I'm open to any suggestions! Thank you for the reviews! I like them, huh? ^_~