In Her Eyes

by parry

Sir Auron has always been quiet and kept his true emotions inside, wrapped up in his deep red coat. However, when his coat is tossed aside and he finally admits to caring about a certain young Al Bhed girl perhaps to much, will she meet his eyes?

14. The Guardian

This story is still going strong, promises, promises. I have been a bit tied up and distracted lately, but I intend to keep this story going on until the end. I really, really, want to say how much I appreciate all these kind reviews! You are all so nice to say that! Please, write more kind reviews! Or...at least just write a one-liner. You know, the standard, "Keep up the good work!" It really inspires me to write the next chapter!!! Next chapter, ahoy!

THE GUARDIAN – Chapter 14

We encountered Kimahri soon enough. It turned out Tidus was correct in his assumption; the Ronso did think we were fiends and had chosen to attack us head on. He came charging at us, snarling, enraged at the loss of his spear. Upon his arrival, however, I stepped between Lulu, Tidus and Kimahri, silencing all protests and accusations.

"I destroyed the Spirit Lance," I muttered quickly, "You were wrong to attack so quickly, Kimahri. Like Jecht, too anxious."

Kimahri only frowned and nodded, but kept the Spirit Lance tucked beside him nevertheless as all of us continued. Kimahri and I walked side by side, talking quietly.

"Kimahri wake and Yuna...gone."

I only grunted.

"Sometime, Kimahri think Kimahri talk more than Sir Auron."

I chuckled, "Perhaps you are right, my friend."

"Yuna in desert?"

"I am uncertain. All we can do is push onward and hope we find the others."

"What of Al Bhed girl? She lost?"

I stiffened absentmindedly, the image of Rikku clouding my vision. "Perhaps."

The small talk ceased and we trudged onward, the heat becoming unbearable. Soon enough, high noon arrived and the sun threatened to burn the skin off our backs. I could only imagine what the Ronso was going through, being that he was raised in the snowy mountain of Gagazet. Tidus continuously asked Lulu to splash water in his face, and to my surprise, the moogle compromised. Eventually I found myself unarmed from the waist above, the contents of my sake jug long ago discarded and filled to the rim with water, however warm. We soon discovered that casting a very mild wintry spell upon my jug froze some of the water, making the contents more suitable to the tongue. The jug was passed around frequently, as well as a small canteen Kimahri had wisely chosen to bring along.

We had chosen to stop once again as we took another water break, collapsing in a heap of sweat and sand. I frowned and traced my hand over my Bevellian armor. It was so damned hot. Why had Jecht chosen to place us here? The question plagued me, almost as much as the never-ending thought of Yuna's whereabouts. Surely, Jecht didn't let her stray to far from us. Surely, she was here, in the desert. "Boy," I said quietly to Tidus, "I need your help."

"Geez...I have a name, you know," Tidus muttered unenthusiastically, "Whattaya need, anyway?"

"The straps on the back," I said from over my shoulder, gesturing to my backside, "Undo them."

"Wow. Auron the almighty is shedding his armor." Tidus announced, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Maybe finally you're coming to grip terms with people being around you and seeing you? Maybe losing that collar of yours was for the best?"

"It's hot." I said simply, tugging at the black armor gently. It came off with little effort, the armor sculpted to my perfection. Rarely did I take it off, and rarely was I accustomed to being in such severe weather.

As we trudged miserably through the desert, I had stuck my sword through the open end where the armor would've fit snugly around my waist. The blade protruded out of the collar part, and I walked, with sword slung over my shoulder, and a heavy and yet fine piece of armory burdening to my weight. The upper half of my coat was down, draped around my lower body. I was bare from the waist up, save for my glove hand, which was clasped around the massive sword. As for the gold plate, Kimahri had taken liking to it and offered to assist me and carry it for me, however with assurance that it would be restored. Tidus, too, had followed me and shed his clothing also. He had unclasped his overalls and removed his yellow shirt, letting it hang loosely over his shoulder.

Tidus grinned as he followed Lulu from behind, bathing in the sun. "Hot, Lu?"

Lulu only hmphed. "Imagine how the Ronso feels."

That night, the child—or the Fayth—from the Farplane that I had encountered in Zanarkand the evening of Jecht's arrival, began haunting my dreams. It was that night, I was sure, or sometime upon our arrival in the desert. The child only smiled at me in my dreams, then dashed like a bolt of lightning up an immense staircase, which seemed to take me forever to ascend, where they would suddenly disappear through a doorway, leaving me helpless and stranded on the other side. In the dream, I would pound on the door relentlessly as I heard some dull thuds emitting from the other side. I didn't know what the dreams meant, but I wasn't too keen on finding out. In one dream, I remember, I had gotten to speak with the child.

"Yuna. What did Jecht do with Yuna?" I said darkly, taking one foreboding stride near the child.

The child seemed amused, however, and only laughed quietly. "It was out of Jecht's control. You have to help her."

We discovered Wakka much later sitting crossly underneath some metal parts, his elbows propped up on his knees. He was staring in a dazed fashion at his blitzball, which lay discarded beside his sandals and most of his armor.

"Wakka!" Lulu shouted as her moogle quickly hobbled towards the familiar man.

Immediately, Wakka stood up and waved back, his hands cupping around his mouth, "Any sign of Yuna?"

Lulu only sighed and shook her head gravely. By that time we had approached him, and I silently noted how he was residing underneath Al Bhed machines...broken ones...

"Damn..." Wakka cursed quietly, "First, I lose Yuna, then I'm attacked my machina!"

"Misplaced aggression will not satisfy," Lulu said quietly.

"Ya, who asked you?" Wakka snapped, "I just...wish I knew where Yuna was, ya?"

"Any sign of Rikku?" I asked quickly, stepping forward.

Wakka eyed me warily. "No. That girl's missin' too? Hmph. Good riddance, I say, ya?"

"I have a feeling to will prove to be useful once again," I muttered, motioning towards the machina, "How many of these machines have you encountered?"

Wakka grunted. "Maybe about four or five. Why?"

"Rikku's area of expertise," Lulu pointed out, "are Al Bhed machina."

I suddenly longed for her company.

The high desert sun had retreated over the horizon, the foreboding shadows that lingered warning us of the oncoming chills. I glanced at Tidus, who nodded silently and jogged up to Lulu, whispering something about setting up camp, surely. It was then that I noted how well Tidus was coming along. I thought, when I first came to Spira, I would expect to greet Tidus in a jail cell, much like my own encounter with his father had been.

Thankfully, I was saved the humility and had found him with Yuna in Luca Stadium. Of course, I wasn't surprised at that either. It seemed Jecht knew what he was doing. I stopped to ponder for a moment how Tidus had met Yuna. Was it the young Summoner herself who had greeted him? How had Tidus stumbled upon them? And apparently, he had met the Al Bhed first, which only roused more already probing questions I had in mind. Jecht had chosen to take him to the Al Bhed. There must've been some reason. Some vital reason Jecht had wanted Tidus to encounter Rikku for.

It was far after dusk, barely light outside. I had re-equipped all of my armor, shielding me from not only fiends and any random encounters, but also the biting winds that came at night. Kimahri's spear had been fixed, with molten sand bonding the two pieces together thanks to Lulu's spells. It seemed spells were more useful then just random battles. We were talking quietly, the Ronso and I, in hushed voices as we guarded our small camp. Our day of wandering had turned pointless, and we had set up camp in an almost defeated manner, for we had failed to find two of the youngest persons in our party. One of them was the very person many of us had devoted our life to protecting, while the other was damn well determined to stop the entire journey. Hmph. Thanks to Wakka, however, we had something to look forward to. A fire, a cozy, warm fire that proved to make the night seem shorter. And our hearts less dreary.

"I bet you're content with the weather now, eh, my friend?" I mused, chuckling lightly.

Kimahri smiled and nodded. "This fair weather to Kimahri."

A faint hum had sounded in the distance, but I didn't pay any attention to it. My mind was adrift with questions, most of them revolving around Tidus' entrance into the Spiran world. How horrified he must've been...

I would've almost chuckled, had not Kimahri growled.

I quickly met Kimahri Ronso's eyes and he nodded, raising his head to the sand dunes that lay behind me, nodding at the direction of the humming. "It sound like noise in woods. When Al Bhed follow Yuna."

"Damn." I muttered darkly, stepping up and briskly walking to the small plateau where we had chosen to lay our weapons. I gripped the hilt of my sword with my good hand and heaved, easily pulling it out of the sand. With the other, I grabbed Kimahri's spear and tossed it nonchalantly at him. "Wakka, wake Lulu and Tidus. We have company."

Wakka opened one sleepy eye and turned to the side, sitting up slowly. He blinked, stretching out his arms. "Comp'ny?"

I nodded. "Al Bhed machines."

"Dammit!" Wakka jumped up immediately and scooped up his blitzball into his arms, then proceeded to wake Tidus.

"Kimahri, come with me. We're meeting them head on." I said rather hoarsely. "Put out the fire if we want to ambush them."

Tidus paused and stared at the fire reluctantly, glancing at me, then the fire. "Are you sure?"

Kimahri quickly approached the burning embers, then in one swift movement, stomped on the flames, silencing the fire. "Kimahri waste no time."

Through the darkness, I could almost see Tidus' cheeks flush a crimson red.

Over the sand dune, we had stumbled across a small army of Al Bhed machina. They were fairly small, resembled scouters; however their numbers could prove to be a problem. We were all lying upon our stomachs, watching them move from a distance. I heard Lulu breathe a sigh and whisper quietly, "How do you propose we are going to win this?"

Wakka frowned and shifted uncomfortably. "I dunno, Lu. As much as I wanna pummel them, I don't think we can..."

"Course we can!" Tidus said quickly, "From a distance, Lu can cast that...that uh...Thunderaga?"

Lulu hmphed. "Very well. What do you propose we do, Sir Auron?"

"We need Rikku." I stated simply.

The Ronso beside me moved slightly, whether in protest or agreement. "Rikku help in battle against own machina?"

"She will." I said darkly, "Or we will see where her loyalties lie."

"You doubt her?" Lulu inquired.

"Perhaps."

From the darkness, I heard Tidus laugh lightly. "That's funny. I've never heard of anyone doubting their own lover."

I froze, my body stiff and rigid as I flexed my sword hand slightly, willing myself to let the comment go.

"Sir...Sir Auron?" Wakka stammered, "Tidus? What did you say?"

"The machina are moving," Lulu said stoutly, changing the subject completely. I glanced and nodded at Lulu appreciatively, and she only smiled.

I turned my attention back to the machina; narrowing my eye as I watched in wonder and caution as the small Al Bhed army slowly began to shift into different ranks, then began to break off, disappearing into the dark desert. Wakka snorted indignantly. "Where do they think they're going, eh?"

"Quiet." I breathed. I saw her. I saw her...crouching behind the small army of Al Bhed machina, Rikku had hidden herself out of sight, keeping her whereabouts unknown. Except to me. But what was she doing there? Alone? The realization of her being alone struck me suddenly, the horrifying thought of Yuna being out in this desert unaided...

"Yuna is unguarded. She is alone." I stated gruffly, rather regretfully. Inwardly, I cursed myself for letting her slip through my fingers. Jecht...this was your fault.

"What?" Tidus whispered, "How do you know? What else are you not telling me? Is there some secret thing I should know before we keep going know?"

Though his tone was somewhat playful, I could hear the faint quiver in his voice. Yuna alone and exposed without her Guardians...even Tidus knew of the consequences.

"Al Bhed girl in distance." Kimahri rumbled, throwing a quick gesture in the direction where Rikku crouched, "Yuna not with girl. Not in desert. Yuna anywhere."

"Damn!" Wakka cursed loudly, slamming his hand into his forehead. "I...I let her go!"

Lulu silenced him with one heated glare, then turned her attention back to the machina. "What could she be doing there?" Lulu whispered, questioning no one in particular, "And...where else would Yuna be?"

"We have failed, as Guardians." Wakka said hoarsely, "Yuna could be anywhere by now..."

Beside me, I felt Tidus tremble slightly, causing a cold shiver to run down my own spine.

"Why would he do this?" Tidus whispered to me, his eyes fixated on the marching machina, "Why would he deliberately separate us from Yuna?"

I frowned deeply, the crease in my forehead deepening, "Everything Jecht does is for a reason." I murmured, "He wouldn't leave Yuna in the care of anyone potentially dangerous. He was...like a third father to her. He had always said to Braska how he would take care of Yuna and guard her as he did him, along with me. It was our plan."

Tidus grunted, perhaps in surprise. "Seems he was a father to everyone...'cept me."

I didn't reply. The affair between Jecht and his son was strictly non of my business. At times like this—and by this time, I was accustomed to hearing Tidus let a snippet of his relationship between his father loose—I found it was best not to say anything. Sometimes, silence was the best answer.

"Sir Auron take care of Tidus, like he were own pup. Tidus not appreciate Auron as father?"

Kimahri spoke suddenly, throwing me off guard. Lulu's eyes widened as she stared at the Ronso in question. She had known the Ronso perhaps for around ten years, and rarely did he speak, even if it were to me or to Yuna. He also wasn't known for any notorious eavesdropping.

Tidus shifted uncomfortably from under Kimahri's gaze, and bowed his head sheepishly. I, however, kept my eyes forward and alert, still wary of the machina.

"Auron...was my dad." Tidus breathed.

I frowned and bit the corner of my lip, the comment striking my very soul. If I still had one... If I still had a soul. Even Tidus didn't realize he was just a broken dream. Sent to the world of the living.

"I...I cannot replace Jecht." I whispered hoarsely. And you cannot replace Braska. No one can. No one can replace that empty part of your heart. No one can rekindle that fire that once burned in your heart. That fire that burned for Yevon and its teachings, for Braska and his safety, for yourself...

"I didn't want you to replace my old man," Tidus said quietly. "I don't want anyone to be like my old man."

Kimahri nodded at me approvingly, seeming to think this was a good thing.

I, however, found it horrifying. I found all aspects of me being for Tidus as a father figure...unimaginable. What would Jecht say? I couldn't replace him...I couldn't become what he was. I surely didn't fill that void in the little boy named Tidus that longed for his father. But then, as I looked up and saw Rikku crouching there in the dark with her fear-ridden eyes, unsure of what to do at this point, I found that it was possible for someone to fill a certain void. Rikku had found something within me and found it beautiful. She had found my heart and soul and she had been determined to keep it with her—us.

"I'm going to save her." I said quietly, pushing myself up and gripping my sword. "I'm going for Rikku."

Quickly, Wakka grasped my shoulder in an attempt to hold me back. "B-but...Sir Auron!" He cried out desperately, "Don't you see? The...the machina! You'll be spotted immediately!"

"I trust you all, as Lady Yuna does," I said rather roughly, pulling away. "Keep out of reach. Perhaps Rikku will know how to get rid of these things."

"She's gotta know something," Tidus pointed out, "She's Al Bhed. She works with these things all the time. She tried to explain to me on this ship how to dismantle one."

"Do you remember how?" Lulu asked, raising a questioning eyebrow. Tidus merely shrugged, much to her disappointment. "Very well. Then I will do my best to distract them for now."

"Let's hope your weapon of choice agrees with you on that, Lu," Tidus said rather doubtfully, eyeing the moogle with disgust, "He...doesn't really take well to me, does he?"

I sniffed in disapproval at Tidus' tone. However, the boy did have a point. "Another time. Move quickly, keep in the shadows, and don't let them see you." Tidus only frowned, a faint trace of a pout lining his lips. Still a boy, still a child. Old habits die hard, it seemed. "Be sure they don't track you, that is all I have to say."

"You never say much in the first place."

I didn't reply. I only grunted crossly and slowly stood up.

"Wait." Lulu whispered, "Let us do our part first, then run."

I nodded, ushering her to continue.

Tidus glanced nervously at Kimahri, I noted, who nodded with encouragement. Wakka licked his lips and slapped his hands upon his blitzball, taking careful aim. Lulu, however, closed her eyes in concentration, her brows furrowing as her moogle imitated her pose.

"This should give them a little shock."

The numbers before us were staggering, though many of them had taken flight into the desert, probably scouting the area for useful items or trespassers. Lulu had managed to create a small storm, dark clouds gathering over the small army, shielding out the pale moonlight that provided us the already little illumination that we had in the darkness. A low rumble sounded in the distance, steadily building up until a brilliant web of lights lit up the night sky, blinding us momentarily.

Oddly enough, I found my mind drifting to Rikku, indifferently noting her fear of the storm.

"Now!" Lulu cried out, her eyes snapping open as she roughly brought both hands down in a jerking fashion, triggering dozens of giant bolts of lightning to collide into the mass of machina, shattering most of them in an instant. Her moogle had copied her actions, his little wings flapping furiously.

"Lightning, eh?" Wakka grinned and prepared his shot, sparks dancing along his already glowing ball. "Well, let's see what help I can do!" He let the ball fly with perfect aim, taking a wide curve as it shot through all of the machina, causing most of them to collapse in a heap of metal and smoke. He let out a triumphant laugh as he caught the ball effortlessly when it came swooping back at him.

"Tidus. Kimahri. Attack head on." I said quietly, my eyes focused on Rikku. Occasionally, the bolts of lightning Lulu cast lit up the environment, and I caught of glimpse of her face. I chuckled lightly as I noted how absolutely terrified she looked. Her eyes were widened in horror as she watched, fixated at the bolts of lightning struck down upon the masses, destroying by the dozens. "I'm going."

Tidus and Kimahri both let out cries of war, their weapons raised overhead as they ran directly towards the still functioning machina.

I took the opportunity and slipped into the shadows, moving quickly. I pumped my legs, willing myself to go faster to reach Rikku before she did anything...reckless. Suddenly, I heard Tidus let out a strangled cry. I glanced wildly to my side and saw that Tidus had fallen on one knee, his other calf bleeding with a fresh gash that ran from his inner knee down to the ankle. He clutched it and howled with pain, dropping the sword.

"Damn!" I cursed under my breath and turned to attention towards Tidus. The foolish boy had just ruined it. In a flurry of rage and disappointment, I threw myself at the machines, lashing out at every angle, my blade swinging wildly in the air as I let out a scream, my voice mixing with the thunderous clouds in the background. My mind had been focused on one thing, and that was to protect Tidus. Protect the Summoner...protect the Summoner...A voice was ringing in my ears. The machines themselves weren't that hard. One slash and they were taken down. However, their sharp, drilling arms were the problem. Tidus had gotten careless, letting one slip onto his leg, the hot buzz tearing at his flash. Tidus continued to fight however, his teeth bared and his sword brandished as he executed a quick jump in mid-air and brought his blade down upon a tricky machina. His left leg shot out, hitting one square in the chest and causing it to tumble backwards a few impressive feet. His skills as a blitzball player mingled with his own unique way of battle as he assisted me, tearing the machina army apart. Multiple bolts of lightning tore through the sky and took care of most of the fiends momentarily; however they just kept coming back.

It almost seemed impossible.

For every one I killed, another would show up in its place, both arms raised as if to strike. I didn't think, then. Thinking never belonged in battle. Thinking only caused you to falter, to hesitate, and to think was to leave some kind of vulnerable spot open to your enemy. I just tore at everything in my path, stepping forward, going deeper into the sea of forbidden machines. However, Wakka's blitzball soon whizzed by my head, causing me to stop for one hot second and stare at the sparking ball. That was all it took, it seemed, for the machina to prevail over me. A sharp point dug into my ankle, causing me to pause and cry out in pain. I fell to my knee with the blood was gushing out of my boot, flooding the sand around a deep velvet color. Upon my fall, dozens upon dozens of Al Bhed machina pounced upon me, their drills raised.

I closed my eyes and sighed heavily. So this would be the end.

I thought then that I would have what I let slip through my fingers. I would have Eternal Heaven. I would find the Farplane. I would close my eyes and awaken to see Braska and Jecht. I would let the worries of the pilgrimage bother me no more. I would fall into the blissful sleep of death...and yet, some kind of regret filled my heart. Some kind of pain and emptiness pounded in my soul, screaming for me not to give up. It was Rikku, the silly little Al Bhed girl I had found to be too childish for such a journey. I recalled the day in the woods, towards the entrance of Gaudosalam. I would've never let her join the pilgrimage, had I known her age. But her positive outlook on things amused me so, and so did her tendency to look at the bright side. I normally—under any circumstances—would've found the girl to be unbearable within the next week, but something in me wanted her to stay. For some odd persisting reason, I wanted her by Yuna's side. And my own.

But then I realized. Dying when you are dead would not grant me rest. I needed to be sent. I needed a Summoner. Here, at the hands of these machina, they would only protrude me with their instruments of destruction, ripping apart my body and leaving me to rot in the desert sun. I would then be a wandering mind—a bodiless being, my soul still calling to the Farplane. It would end that way, my mind searching for a body to occupy itself it. I would eventually become a fiend. I mused the thought. Legendary Guardian of High Summoner Braska turning into a fiend...hmph...

A fierce explosion ripped through my ear, causing all of the machina around me to draw back in surprise. Not daring to ask what had just happened, I quickly pushed myself up, my hand once again finding the familiar feel of my sword. My fingers curled around it, I let out a low growl and sliced through them, being careful not to apply too much pressure to my foot they had managed to strike. It had seemed I once again had the upper hand, as another dull explosion was heard in the distance. Thunder roared in my ears, and the bolts of lightning continued to brilliantly light up the night sky. The explosion that sounded not long after the first was a grenade. There was no doubt in my mind of that, but it seemed different. Smoke flew into my face and surrounded me. In surprise, I dropped the Kotetsu and spun around, only to be met with a machina hand that pinned my down to the ground. My head was being pressed into the sand as I heard the low hum of a drill by my chest plate. Slowly and most torturously, the drill brushed across my armor once. It was nothing but a mere scratch to the black Bevellian armor, however, and it had been crafted with care.

The machine had no intention of giving up, however. The drill once again hovered over my chest, the drill swirling at a seemingly faster rate then before. I grunted as I brought my hand up to my face, trying desperately to pull the damned thing off. Only my one eye could see through the darkness, and I watched in horror as the drill drew closer and closer to my chest, surely able to break through a second time.

"Kyaaa!!!"

I gasped for breath as the pressure was suddenly and expectedly lifted off my head. I sat bolt upright, clutching my chest. That voice belonged to none other than her. Rikku.

She was smiling at me, my head cradled in her lap. "You okay?"

I blinked and slowly pulled myself up, leaning against her thin frame for support. "You..." I paused and chuckled lightly, brushing a stray wisp of blonde hair out of her face. "You saved me."

Rikku only laughed. "You know, I think you are always devoting your time to guarding someone else. Don't you think that maybe...maybe you need your own Guardian?"

Hmph.

"Auron!" Tidus called me quickly. He was lying, collapsed in the sand, half-grinning, half-wincing as he clutched his leg. "Over here!"

I glanced at Tidus, then to Rikku, who only giggled. I frowned and stood up slowly, limping slightly on my one foot, gritting my teeth as the blood continued to seep through my boot into the sand. I let my left sleeve drop to my waist as I switched sword hands, heaving it over my shoulder. It seemed most of the machina had been taken care of. I collapsed upon the sand beside Tidus, breathing a well-deserved sigh.

"I owe you my life again, Auron," Tidus mumbled almost mechanically.

I chuckled faintly, which grew into an eventual cough. "You are...my responsibility."

"Eh..." Tidus said, shrugging, "I guess. It seems like you're playing 'Guardian' for two people here."

"Feels like several." I said hoarsely, wiping the sweat from my brow. "I remember the journey being harsh, but..." I sighed again, "Perhaps...it has been too long."

Somewhere, in the depths of myself, I knew I said it both truthfully and falsely.

Tidus only laughed. "Yep. You're an old man, now, Auron. You gotta stop bein' so harsh on yourself, man!"

I paused, letting my sword drop into an unceremonious rest as I leaned back, staring into the night sky. "Rikku saved us, didn't she?"

"Yep!" Tidus grinned broadly, perhaps triumphantly, "It seems you have your own Guardian, Auron!"

I smirked. My own Guardian. How Braska would laugh.

My eyes traveled over Rikku's form, which was dancing and giggling in the rain around the machina, her eyes full of such joy and innocence. The thunder must've ceased, for there were no signs of fear on her face. I sighed wearily. There were many things she was to learn about this journey.

But maybe...maybe she would teach me a thing about this journey.

The overall damage taken from the battle with the Al Bhed army proved to be staggering in its own ways. Lulu and Kimahri sustained minor injuries, as did myself. It seemed while my face was being pushed into the dirt, a machina had pounced on Wakka and thrust its drill at his shoulder, rendering him helpless in any case. Lulu fought from a safe distance, and it had been she and Kimahri who saved the Blitzball player's life. Tidus, too, had been attacked and sported a fresh gash on his lower left calf, but grinned all the while. He was just like his father. A battle to him was entertaining. Rikku's right arm had been sliced very impressively, due to her onslaught. Kimahri remained virtually flawless, his swift nimble movements as a Ronso able to keep him out of reach. As for myself...

My armor remained intact, but my foot was a bloody mess. I walked with a limp, my sword being too much weight for me. Though the blood did indeed leave an imprint in the sand, no one noticed, and I didn't care.

Rikku did prove useful once again. She had talked to Tidus mainly after the battle, explaining that she had important information and that she had a small camp that she had set up previous to our encounter.

Though Rikku had come back, it seemed things only grew tense. Wakka threw heated glares of disgust at her every moment I glanced at him, and Rikku only hung her head in shame. Since she had saved my life, I hadn't bothered to speak with her. At times, as we walked along, I could hear her light steps behind me as she cautiously approached, but when she drew near, she seemed to waver somewhat and fall back to speak with Tidus. Kimahri stayed at my side at all times, and the two of us talked quietly about our plans.

"We cannot stay in this desert forever." I said darkly. "It will be the death of us."

Kimahri growled. "And Yuna gone."

I sighed. "Yes. That seems to be the biggest of our worries."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kimahri frown deeply and briefly touch his forehead. In a sense, I pitied the Ronso. He reminded me a bit of myself: quiet, yet thoughtful. Kimahri's grip tightened on his spear as we moved along, the limp steadily growing worse. Lulu touched my back for a moment before she neared my side, her eyes full of concern.

"You're injured?" She asked quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

I merely nodded. "Slightly. Nothing I can't handle."

"I think it would be best if we rested for a bit."

"All need rest." Kimahri stated simply, motioning towards Tidus and Wakka in the back, "Young Tidus especially."

I frowned and nonchalantly glanced at the two who strode in the back, occasionally wincing a bit but otherwise were grinning and laughing. Their behavior reminded me of a Summoner's Journey. The pain they held with gritted teeth, however masked by false enlightened smiles. Tidus was clutching his torso with one hand and yet waved his other as he described something to Wakka, which made the older blitzer chuckle.

I heard Tidus say something along the lines of being in murky water, almost being swallowed by a massive creature of the sea.

But in other words, the two were in great pain, but sealed it shut with fake laughs and amused grins. Like Lady Yuna. So much like Braska's daughter. The entire journey itself so far had been fake and dreary—to me, at least. It was beginning to eat at me, being unable to look anyone in the eyes or even offer a true smile. I had even found myself unable to produce a forced smirk, let alone a chuckle. For the first time, I questioned Jecht's resolve. I, along with Tidus and all of Spira, wanted to know what Sin was thinking. The nightmares I had were now turning from Braska to Yuna, both father and daughter dying spectacularly in an epic battle against the entity of evils and sins.

For the first time, I was afraid of the end of the story.

I drew in a sharp breath and glanced back at Lulu and hesitantly nodded with approval.

"We rest."

My eye lazily traveled over the flames, my chin resting on my hand as we all sat, gathered around the small fire. Tidus poked at the blazing fire with his sword, amused that the water strike caused it to hiss venomously, the occasional soft crackle giving signs of it dying down. His eyelids were steadily growing heavier and heavier for the boy, as he had offered to stay awake and guard for the night. I knew it was I, however, who would remain alert, watching their sleeping forms protectively.

Wakka had fallen asleep almost immediately after Lulu had begun the fire. His sleep was plagued with nightmares, I knew. His face often contorted into a disturbed looked of concentration with faint whispers to no one.

Beside me, Lulu stroked her moogle almost paternally, her deep crimson eyes lost in thought as she watched Wakka's chest rise and fall with every labored breath. Kimahri had chosen to rest that night, to my surprise. His spear was still locked tightly in his hand, and one brief explanation about Tidus sneaking up on the Ronso during his sleep confirmed my thoughts that Kimahri was somewhat overprotective. With good reasoning.

I turned my attention to the fire and was surprised—or rather caught off guard—to catch a glimpse of Rikku's eyes. She glanced away nervously, her eyes glued to Wakka's blitzball. She absentmindedly brought her hand up to her goggles and stretched it out, fitting it snugly over her eyes, blocking out any signs of her Al Bhed heritage. Her image, of course, was already stained. The claw that fitted on her arm was obviously Al Bhed made, as was her various gadgets that she kept in the small pouch around her waist. Her appearance couldn't be hidden beneath Al Bhed goggles, nor denies or lies. Her smiling personality couldn't be bottled up nor could it be tamed. She was Rikku, but Wakka had somehow shot her down back at Lake Macalania, as she had not stopped fingering the hem of her frilly shorts since then and had also refrained from removing her goggles.

She was hiding her eyes. How I hated that.

"Sir Auron?"

Tysh ed.

I turned my head to the side to Lulu, silently demanding what she wanted.

"Tidus seems to be having some difficulty keeping alert." Lulu laughed lightly, motioning towards the blitzer, who was now letting his head drop to the side. "We are once again in your need of assistance."

"So it seems." I said hoarsely.

"Kimahri help Sir Auron." Kimahri said quickly, his tail swaying back and forth.

I eyed him warily. "No." I said quietly before turning towards the fire once more. "I can handle it. Tomorrow we find Yuna."

At Yuna's name, both Tidus and Rikku jumped somewhat. Tidus looked at me, wondering if I actually believed we would find Yuna in such a hellhole. Rikku, however, stared at me long and hard, her eyebrows raising slightly. As if she knew something.

I made my decision. I would wait until everyone fell asleep, then I would speak to Rikku, safe from the peering eyes of the others. Just me and her.