Besaid - Ancient Road - Getting closer.

The talking started, again. Auron marveled at the way that just four people could make a noise level equal to that of a blitz ball stadium full of fans on game day. It had to be the girls. Boys were loud about things they found humorous, like body parts and various bodily functions (noises included),and objects that looked vaguely like body parts, where as girls were loud about everything. Girls' voices increased in volume in direct proportion to their happiness level. Therefore the happier they were, the louder they became. This is especially true when girls are talking about someone, which is why when you happen upon a pack of them (and you happen to be the subject of conversation), they will fall instantly silent, sometimes giggle nervously, and desperately hope that you did not hear what they were saying. (Which in itself is an impossibility, since most of these kinds of conversations can be heard for a two block radius)

The happiness level was through the roof. Lulu had dropped back to walk with Auron, who was glad for the company. It was lonely being the only voice of reason. "We're almost home." Lulu commented, choosing her words carefully to keep the statement neutral. Auron could not tell if she was trying to comfort him, or if she was making excuses for the 'kids'.

"There's still time, and we are still next to the cliff. No one would find the bodies." she added, making the meaning crystal clear.

Auron chuckled into his collar as Lulu followed the ball of noises and guffaws under the ruins of the ancient machina standing guard over the road. "Think about it." she advised with a twisted smile.

He gave it some serious thought as the little knot of youth paused in its progress down the path. He heard a surprised whisper: "Auron? Are you serious?"

Four heads turned as one and regarded Auron for a moment. They stared at Auron.

Auron stared back.

Some one whispered, "You're right he does look good, for an old guy." The little group turned back around, its members giggling amongst themselves, then continued moving. He had only two choices, Yuna or Rikku, and he hoped to Yevon that it had not been Tidus. Auron didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted. They had said he was 'old' after all. On the other hand he was the legendary 'Sir Auron', and used to giggling adorers. He knew he shouldn't let the giggles bother him, but since Tidus was in the group the giggles could mean anything.

Auron caught Lulu's eye, and she backtracked to speak to him. "Stay here." he murmured. She obeyed. There had been something in Auron's voice that had promised a bit of amusement.

Auron watched with growing excitement as Tidus and his followers neared the rock with the Al Bhed writing on it. Tidus moved ahead to read it, while Yuna and Rikku paused in the shade to gossip amongst themselves (about Tidus, of course). Wakka sat down by one of the pillars to wait for Auron and Lulu to catch up. He looked around, idly wondering where Kimahri had gotten to. The Ronso had disappeared a while ago, probably to kill off the last member of an endangered species of plant. Plants die for two reasons : 1) they never evolved the ability to distinguish between liquids that are safe to drink, and those that are detrimental to their survival a.k.a 'Animal Water'. and 2) Plants lack the ability to simply 'get up and move' (Excluding Ochus and Madagoras, which are detrimental to the offender's survival).

Auron heard a quiet scrape on the pillar to his right as Tidus stepped back onto the road. He glanced up just in time to see Kimahri leap from his perch with a roar. It was quite an impressive sight. The big ronso dove right for Tidus, claws extened, dripping fangs bared in a snarl that sent Tidus' spine into a dead faint. His brain continued screaming orders to his spine with out success. Not having a functioning spine made it very difficult for the boy to do anything besides stagger ineffectually with out really getting anywhere. It had the same effect on his eyeballs, which attempted to make an escape on their own.

Tidus crumpled with a shriek as Kimahri landed on him. Ignoring the terrified gasps and protests from his companions (and Auron's chuckles), Kimahri leaned down and roared, saliva dripping into Tidus' face. Kimahri grinned evilly as Tidus' mouth attempted words while his brain had its back turned. The Ronso snapped his jaws inches from his face, drawing a satisfying 'meep' out of the boy. He got a good scream out of him too when he started gnawing on his throat.

Kimahir and Auron had been banished to the end to the line, where the words 'crybaby' were frequently muttered. Kimahri rumbled crossly as Tidus, who was ignoring them, turned around and did the classic Pull Down the Lower Eyelid While Sticking Out The Tongue face. The Ronso's fur stood on end and half strangled snarl escaped his throat. If looks could kill, Auron imagined that Tidus would be little more than a scrap of hair and skin being picked off the road of Kimahri's rage by a Zu. Oblivious to Auron's musings, Kimahri stomped along, still glaring. Tidus was at the front of the line with Wakka, goading him into doing the most ridiculous dance Spira had ever had the misfortune of seeing.

The dancing, if it could be called that, seemed to involve no coordination at all. It mainly consisted of wild motion of the arms and legs in various directions, the more ridiculous the better. Bobbing and twisting accompanied by outrageous sounds was also just as important.

What was even more absurd was how Yuna and Rikku were laughing. Girls were just so complicated.

Lulu watched, embarrassed for both of them. "You do know that other people can see you, right?" she snapped. "And that other people can see me standing in your vicinity?"

"Sure." Tidus said from the part of the dance that involved rolling and twisting on the ground.

Lulu stared, agog. "And you don't care!"

"Nope."

Lulu joined Auron and Kimahri at the back of the procession just in the nick of time. Tidus began dragging his butt on the ground like a dog, or a cat that has a bad case of worms.

The dancing and noises lasted for some time afterwards, at which point it stopped. They passed the Promontory at dusk, pausing to pray before moving on down the Village Slope. Auron plodded along, waiting for the stupidity to start up again at any moment. When five minutes went by without a sound from Tidus, the older guardian risked a look. Tidus was ambling along, arm-in-arm with Yuna, in silence. The only sounds were the sounds of the world around him, and Rikku talking with Wakka.

Could it be? Auron wondered. Yes! YES! Tidus was finally running out of his boundless supply of energy. He was tired! Auron looked at the sky and praised Yevon, and took back everything bad he had ever said about him.