Chapter 16

Over the next few months a lot of things happened. Ifalna's illness became worse. Llaman called her and Lila into his and Ifalna's home when it happened.

"She's been asking for you," he said in hushed tones, his face pale and drawn. Rikku nodded and went into Ifalna's bedroom. She was surprised to see her friend looking so small and weak.

Ifalna gestures to Rikku to sit down net to the bed, and Rikku complied.

"I'm dying," said Ifalna.

Rikku shook her head, no, but Ifalna just smiled. "I'm not afraid," she said. "I just wanted to show you something,"

Rikku nodded, and Ifalna handed her a sphere. They watched it using Ifalna's sphere screen. There was no sound.

The first scene was of a little girl. Rikku gasped as she recognised her.

"Lenne," she breathed. Ifalna nodded weakly and Rikku instinctively took her hand.

The other scenes showed the little girl being found, adopted, growing up – Rikku smiled to see the little girl who had always loved to be the centre of attention dancing around in front of her new family.

A worrying suspicion began to grow as she watched Lenne grow older. The suspicion became a certainty by the final scene. Rikku saw Lenne performing to a small audience in a bar. She saw Lenne catch the pianist's eye, and knew that they loved each other from that moment. She knew Lenne's future. It was a part of her past.

"Lenne," she said again. "Lady Lenne of Zanarkand. Lenne…and Shuyin,"

She laughed a little. At last she knew Lenne had been happy, and loved. Yes, her life had been cut short, but surely better to die in the arms of one you loved than to live forever and never love at all?

It was then she realised that Ifalna's hand was simply lying still in hers. The old woman had slipped into a coma. Rikku left the room, and sent Llaman in to sit with his mother. She and Lila left quietly.

The next day, Rikku went to Shinra's lab to talk to Yuna about her plans for a new city, as well as to show her the sphere.

When she tried to enter, Aura blocked her way.

"Yes?" She asked frostily.

"I…I want to see Yuna," said Rikku, unnerved by the younger girls attitude.

"My mother is ill,"

Rikku was surprised and a little worried to hear this. Time was when she would have been this first to know. She pressed on. "This is important,"

Vidina stepped out of the lab, standing next to Aura. "Is there a problem?" He asked.

"Rikku wants to see mother,"

"Oh?"

"Vidina, Aura, this is important! I need to speak to Yuna and Shinra,"

"They're busy," said Vidina, his strange eyes glowing.

"I need to speak to them about their city! And…something else,"

"Sorry. I think you should leave,"

"Vidina, if your parents could see you now! And Aura, your father - "

"My father?" Asked Aura, getting angry. "My father, who you killed?"

"Wh-what?" Asked Rikku, shocked.

"My parents who died because of you?" Said Vidina. "Oh yes, Yuna told us all about you. You sent my mother out to die, but were too cowardly to go yourself!"

"I-I"

"Just leave Rikku," said Aura. "Just get out of here,"

Rikku stared at the pair of them, searching for the two children who she'd sheltered with her own body. She couldn't find them anywhere in this pair. She handed them Lenne's sphere, then left, her shoulders slumped. That night she and Lila left Calm. They stole one of Shinra's boats and left in the middle of the night. They asked Llaman to follow, but he wouldn't leave Ifalna. So, they set out by themselves on a new pilgrimage to the Calm Lands.