A/N:

OCAdam: I'm actually debating making a sequal. But if I do, it'll take months to fully make, and I'll have to re-play FFX-2 to do that. Not that it's a bad thing to do that... but the months part is a problem. Freshmen colledge student... I won't have the time for awhile to write. Though it would be fun, it's not too possible right now. Maybe it'd be published in a year or so, when I'm done with Celadon Flight, and have summer break. And no, there is NO golden sword. The 'evolutions' of the sword revove around pokeballs. So the highest it goes is Master Sword. No ripoffs of Zelda / Link intended.

ross heuchan: 1: see this chapter. 2: No, not yet. Vibrava need to get to level 45 to evolve. But when he does, it'll be explosive to the foe he's facing.

erin ravenscroft: Yes, Icewind eventually says his name. And your guess is correct, but he won't say it on purpose. Wait for Gagazet, I won't say any more until then.

Anyone here familiar with Celtic (Irish, actually) mythology? I'm serious about that, I want to know. Especially if you know about Mortuna. Because I want to know who to duck attacks from.


Macalania again:

We had managed to escape to Macalania forest, but still… there was a state of shock in most everyone. Auron had left, saying he would scout out what was happening. The rest of us waited in a cave – except for Yuna and Kimahri, who had left earlier. Even Suicune was waiting patiently, not wandering the forest.

Auron walked in. "We're all clear. We will have to avoid Bevelle in the future. Yuna… said she wanted to be alone." I caught the hint in his voice, but I don't know about everyone else. I looked over at Tidus. He looked down at the ground for a moment, then walked out.

Wakka watched him leave. "Where's he going?"

I snorted softly, Rikku giggled, and Suicune gave her equivalent of a chuckle. "Where else? To Yuna. I hope those two finally get together, it's been irritating seeing them." Stop that, you sound like a matchmaking old woman. I glared at Suicune, but it was ruined when I started to laugh.

Wakka scratched his head. "Huh?"

Lulu held her hand to her head like she had a headache. Rikku sighed "You really are thicker than a… Icewind, what did you call it?" I grinned, but Suicune said it for me A Rhyhorn.

Rikku smiled, and leaned on me – we were sitting down. "Can I sleep here?"

I shrugged, stroking her hair. "Sure."

She looked up at me dreamily, and rested her head on my shoulder. "What do you think they're going to do?"

I refrained from shrugging, since her head was on my shoulder. "Dunno. Somewhere from making out to sex, I think. But I'm not sure where." I think I said that a bit louder than intended, because I heard sputtering from Wakka. I smiled softly. "What, that a taboo or something? I don't care, you can go stuff that with the rest of the crap I don't care about."

I heard Rikku mutter something, then slowly exhale. I moved her head from my shoulder, and pulled her into a more comfortable position. Well, sort of. It's not a good idea to fall asleep on someone's shoulder, that place is really bony (unless you're a swimmer, or something like that). Suicune gave me a look, and quietly walked out. Before she was out of earshot, I whispered "I though you were ok with this." I… am. But it's hard, seeing the two of you together. I know Ashley would kick me to kingdom come if I tried to stop you if she were able to… but I still ache. "Alright… just don't… do anything stupid. Maybe you ought to go to that spring."

She nodded, and walked away. Then I heard a quickening pace – she must have dashed off to somewhere.

Wakka gave me a look that I guess translated into 'you're a pervert', but I just ignored him. He looked away, after he turned red. People here really need to loosen up about that. Well, maybe it was just Wakka. Lulu certainly didn't seem to mind, and Auron remained silent.

&&&&&

We were still in that position when Kimahri returned, minus Yuna. I smiled softly, whispering, "it's about time."

&&&&&

Yuna and Tidus walked in, hand in hand. Yuna stopped when she saw Rikku sleeping, her head resting on me. But after a moment, she smiled, "How's Rikku?"

I smiled at her sleeping form, and gently set her down, putting a pillow under her head. "She's fine… just exhausted. Should I wake her?"

"Please…"

I nodded, and kissed Rikku. Her eyes snapped open, and she made a half-animal wail that was muffled – well, she couldn't really move her lips, after all. But she cut it off quickly, and returned the kiss. We broke off after the need for air forced us to split apart. She gave me a sleepy smile, and turned around. Her eyes widened, and she turned to me, her face red. I whispered "sorry… but it was the fastest way to wake you up, lovely."

She blushed even brighter, and buried her face in my shoulder. I smiled softly, and said, "before I embarrass Rikku further, what did you need to say Yuna?"

She remained silent for a moment, and then tentatively said "Sir Auron? Wakka? Lulu? Kimahri? Rikku? Icewind? Everyone, we leave at dawn. And...I'm sorry for putting you through all this. And... um..."

I shook my head as she trailed off, "you can tell us when you're ready. I won't even ask what Tidus did to make you feel better…"

They (Yuna and Tidus) blushed simultaneously. Rikku said (it was muffled, but I heard it), "Don't you have any shame?"

I laughed softly. "I was raised to be a lot more commonsense about this kind of stuff. In a city bigger than Bevelle… you learn about this stuff quickly, even if you don't want to. But I'll admit it, I'm a big tease about this kind of stuff."

Rikku whispered to me, "next time, I decide… ok?"

"Sure."

She made a muffled comment that I couldn't hear.