This chappie is for those who gave me the inspiration to continue. They really aren't a lot, but it mattered a lot to me. And I also want to thank most specially those people who gave the greatest advice any beginner fanfic writer should have: SET TO ACCEPT ANONYMOUS REVIEWS!!! Yay!!!

Disclaimer: Nope. I still don't own FFX-2...

Lenne was not usually very good with jokes, simply because she couldn't tell whether or not a person was kidding her or not. And what Shuyin just said was not an exception to her ignorance.

"What did you just say?" She asked as she tried to meet his blue eyes that kept on dodging her grey ones. She felt the pressure tighten on her wrist as he looked away. It was kind of cute, how shy he was. "You're coming with me?"

He nodded, or rather, he just moved is head a bit. "It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I guess I have nothing better to do here. I might as well."

Lenne tilted her head to the side and eyed him curiously. He was so mysterious. She wondered what he was thinking. "Wouldn't anyone miss you? Parents? Relatives?" she smiled slyly. "A girlfriend perhaps?"

Shuyin flushed a bright red. It was so cute! It was so easy to embarrass him when it came to girl; you just had to bring them up. "No one will miss me."

"Except for your fans, right?" She teased. Shuyin blushed even more. "Listen, if you're really willing to come with me and my pilgrimage, you're actually more than welcome. But you can't just come like that."

"Why?"

"You have to be my Guardian first."

With that, Shuyin narrowed his eyes at her. "How come?"

"Because."

"Because what?"

"Just because."

"What a lame trap." Shuyin withdrew his hand form hers and stuffed it in his pant pockets. "So you mean a guy who just happens to be riding the same boat with you, or probably walking the same road will have to be your Guardian first? Just because you're a Summoner?"

Lenne pouted, feeling offended. It most definitely was not a trap! "I never said anything like that." She couldn't read the expression in his face. He was so dead serious all the time. He needed to lighten up. "I just feel it's appropriate. You are coming with me because you want to protect me. Right?"

That silenced him a bit. He was looking out to a point above her left shoulder, tapping his foot impatiently. A moment went by and he still didn't say anything. Lenne took a step towards him, making him back off half a step. "Well?"

He cleared his throat. "The truth of the matter is, I really don't know."

Lenne blinked a couple of times in disbelief. He was such a loser! "Is that all you have to say?"

Shuyin took a deep breath, closed his eyes and turned around. "Look, if you don't want me around, just say so."

"Huh?" Lenne scratched her head. "I do, it's just that I thought you're going to take up my offer..."

Shuyin rounded on her so fast it was her turn to back off half a step. "Lenne, I don't want any part in your pilgrimage!" He yelled. "I don't want to be stuck to your name for all eternity, being written in history books for everyone to talk about! I already have enough of that as it is, okay?"

Those words normally would have hurt her pride, having heard that he wanted no part in her history. But for some weird reason, she understood him. She closed her eyes and laughed softly. "I guess you're right. Wouldn't it be nice to disappear in history, your name forgotten as time goes by, and you can rest easily in the Farplane without a care in the world?" The truth was, there were times when she wished she wasn't a famous Songstress, just to escape all the gossip and idle talk about her.

"Lenne, I'm sorry." Shuyin started, looking really down. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. But can't I... can't I, uhm, let that invitation pass for now? I'll come with you, all the way to the end of your pilgrimage and back, if you'd have it, but please, no titles."

Lenne felt her lips break into a smile as she tossed her hair over one shoulder. She took a deep bow and said, "I would be honored to have you travel with me, Shuyin."

And for the very first time since they met, Shuyin genuinely smiled. It was a small and reserved smile but a smile nonetheless. She could not believe the joy it brought her to see him like that. "So," he asked quietly. "Where do we begin?"

"Huh?" Lenne started.

Shuyin stared at her. "Where do we start?"

Silence.

Lenne groaned inwardly, her face heating up. Of course, how stupid of me! This is my pilgrimage. I call the shots.

It was then did she realize she really had no idea where to begin.

Shuyin coughed. "Uh, so why don't we just, uh, get some supplies? It's a long journey to the next Temple. We have to pass Mt. Gagazet and the Calm Lands."

Lenne felt foolish. Shuyin was probably the best companion for her. Never in her life had she stepped out of Zanarkand. This was going to be her first night ever...

She nodded. "I guess you're right. But can we hurry? Choras could be worried sick about me."

"Who?"

"My nanny."

"You don't want to say goodbye?"

"I really don't want to see her right now. She'll probably try to stop me, or worse, she might even come." She shuddered at the thought. She loved her nanny so much, she would just die if anything happened to her.

Shuyin looked doubtful, but nonetheless nodded. "Whatever you say, Lenne. So where to?"

Silence.

"Uh..." Lenne began, once again not knowing what to do. So much for calling the shots.

Shuyin started to scratch his head irritably. "Fine. Come with me."

-= =-

Lenne asked Shuyin for them to make a detour by the park where she had left a duffel bag of clothes she was to change into, since she was still wearing her silver gown. When Shuyin asked her how she had that ready, she simply told him she had planned it beforehand. After all, she needed a clean getaway. After that, she let Shuyin lead the way to the cramped southern residential area in the city.

Lenne watched as Shuyin struggled with the door of one of the apartments there.

"So, this is where you live?"

"If you're asking if this is where I sleep, yeah," he muttered as he wrestled with the doorknob. He did that for maybe a couple of minutes, then gave up. Lenne was about to offer her help when she saw Shuyin bend his leg to his chest, completely balanced on one foot, then kicked the door with a bang. The knob made a loud clanging sound as it snapped wide open to admit a panting Shuyin.

"I found that very inappropriate. You're leaving town, Shuyin. Anyone can steal your stuff now that you've broken your door," Lenne said as she followed him in cautiously. The apartment was small and cramped. There was only one window fixed on the low ceiling A very unmade bed was shoved to the far wall, and a small, three-legged table was in the middle of the dirty floor. There were no carpets there. Just a layer of dust with a few footprints of large boots. Shuyin's boots. Another door was at the foot of the bed, closed. It was probably a bathroom, but judging from the state of what she was seeing now, she didn't really want to know. Next to the table was a big box that contained an assortment of things. Shuyin was kneeling next to it, taking out some stuff.

Lenne crossed the room, leaving her own marks on the dusty tiles. "What are you looking for?"

"Stuff we could use," he mumbled absentmindedly. The things he was taking out caught Lenne's attention. About a dozen Blitzball trophies were one by one placed on to the floor followed by twice as much medals. Shuyin never gave as much as a second glance to these objects.

Lenne picked one trophy that sat nearest to her, reading the embossed letters to herself. Star Player of the Zanarkand Abes : Shuyin. She picked up another trophy. It said the same thing. She looked up at Shuyin who was still digging into the box. "Shuyin, what are these?"

Shuyin glanced at her a second then continued with his business. "Trophies."

"Well, I kind of knew that." She examined all the trophies and medals. "All of these are awarded to you. In twelve consecutive games in five years! Shuyin! You're famous!"

With that, Shuyin stopped what he was doing and plopped down on the ground. "Yeah, well I have my share of secrets, Lady Songstress."

Lenne looked at him and frowned. "You're being chased by those girls because they really are your fans. Shuyin! If you come with me, what about your career?"

Shuyin shrugged, then pushed the box to its side, spilling the contents on to the floor, disturbing the layer of dirt on it. "My career as a player? Then it'll be over, finally."

"You mean you're not liking what you're doing in the arena?"

"Not really."

"Than why did you join in the first place."

"Does it matter? I'm leaving it, aren't I?"

Lenne placed the trophies on the floor again and sighed. "I suppose. Well, it's really none of my business."

Shuyin didn't say anything to that, but picked up a leather sack in the pile of assorted odds and ends. He peered in it and nodded satisfactorily. "Here we are."

"What is it? Let me see!" Lenne squealed excitedly. Shuyin handed her the sack. Her eyes widened in surprise. There were potions, ethers a couple of Phoenix Downs and a clump of chocobo feathers in it. "Wow! Why didn't I think of this?"

"Because it was meant to be that I do it for you," she heard Shuyin muttered. When he realized she had heard, he blushed and pretended to be busy with whatever he was doing, picking up the rest of the objects and dumping them in the box.

Lenne smiled at him as she saw him secure his belt with his broadsword. "I guess you're right." Once again, Lady Mayali's words were resounding in her head, about Shuyin being a part of her life. A long and hard journey. This must be it.

"Here. Take this." Lenne was snapped out of her reverie when a huge blanket-like thing fell over her, covering her completely. She struggled to get it off her face. "What's this for?"

"For Mt. Gagazet weather. It's a hard path to travel in the Ronso terrain because of the snow and the wind. You won't last an hour in your clothes."

Lenne looked down at her attire. It was still the silver dress she had worn for the concert. She flushed. I guess you're right. Well, maybe I could use your bathroom first? I need to change into my traveling clothes. She slipped the duffel bag from her shoulders and started to take out her short, black skirt, a midriff blouse and a pair of sturdy brown boots.

Shuyi shook his head discouragingly. "The bathroom's no good. Heck, I wouldn't take my chances using it, but if you're really up to it, feel free."

Lenne gulped as unthinkable things entered her mind on what she could see in that dreaded room. "No thanks. I think I'll change here."

"What?!" Shuyin squealed loudly. "You can't change here! I'm here!"

Lenne shrugged nonchalantly. "So don't look." She went to the broken door and slammed it shut, making sure it won't open. She was already raising her gown up to her knees when Shuyin suddenly dashed to her, grabbing her on either arm. "Wait!"

She blinked. "What?"

She watched as Shuyin's mouth open than close like a guppy fish. He was beet red. "L-let me, uh, t-turn around first." With that, he made a one-eighty degree turn and stiffly held that position.

Lenne was amused. "Oh, well, okay." She raised her gown again to take it off. Suddenly she felt really naughty. "Hey, Shuyin?"

"W-what?" he asked quietly, still as stiff as a rock.

"I'm baring my legs now," she said, although in reality, she had already removed her gown – it was not that difficult to take off – and was now slipping into her blouse then skirt..

"What?!"

Lenne giggled. "Uh-huh. Now I'm about to raise it over my hips."

"Why are you relating to me how you undress?!"

"Well, since you're not looking, I might as well tell you. I've unzipped the back of my gown now, and I'm taking it off." She pulled on the strings of her blouse and tied it quickly. She pulled on her boots. "Now I'm wearing my boots. I think I'll wear my clothes later."

"What the - ! Wear them now!"

"No. Come on, Shuyin. Turn around." She straightened her skirt and pulled on her separate forearm sleeves.

"No."

"C'mon!"

Shuyin shuddered. "Lenne, stop it."

Lenne giggled. This was so much fun! Without warning, she threw her arms wide and jumped in front of him with a yell. "Gotcha!!!"

Lenne almost died from laughter as she saw his face. His blue eyes were as big as saucers, his face at one moment red, the next, white. "I was kidding, Shuyin! I'm not gonna seduce you or anything gross like that."

Shuyin snapped out of his state of shock when he discovered Lenne was, in fact, clothed. He was still pale, but resumed breathing. "That wasn't funny."

Lenne laughed anyway. "I know. It was mean. I'm sorry."

But as she turned around to gather the gown, she saw something she never did expect. She saw Shuyin grin a bit.

So...you do have a sense of humor after all..