(Is anyone still reading this? XD Sorry for the long wait for the new chapter. Kai actually is no longer in the story…where he sort of is but don't expect any separate dialogue for him really…Thanks for the comment, Samurai XX To the anonymous…though I know the half-breed races aren't usually associated with great things, Silver's race is an important part of the story, and is quite different and unique. Zidane from Final Fantasy IX was a sort of half-breed, and he was great. And Martin, I'm so glad you think it's FFX-3 material! I hope you all enjoy the new chapter.)

One Final, Peaceful Boat Ride

Lhinx stood atop the second level deck of the ship as it pulled away from Kilika Port.

(Again at sea... I'm beginning to like this more and more.) Lhinx thought.

She stood straight up, her arms crossed in front of her and her gaze now on the sea in front of them. On occasion, a dead fish would be floating by, but other then the usual soothing spray of water, nothing was going wrong.

She uncrossed her arms and walked down to the first level. Three kids began to run by after a renegade blitzball when they caught sight of the towering Ronso youth.

"Whoa..." Two of them, boys, with eyes wide and mouths agape stared up at the large creature.

"Wow, you're big!" The little girl said, smiling widely and then caught sight of the swishing tail attached to Lhinx. "Oh cool! A tail!"

"Wait, don't-" Lhinx began and the girl began grabbing at the tail, which would twist and turn to avoid her grip, making the girl laugh like there was no tomorrow.

"You're bigger then my papa!" One of the boys said.

"Oh course she is, she's a Ronso. Do you play blitzball?" The other boy asked.

"No I-" Lhinx began.

"Do you fight lotsa monsters and stuff?" The other boy asked.

"Well-"

"Can you lift those big crates?" The other boy cut in.

(How do I deal with this?)

"Caught it!" The little girl piped up, holding Lhinx's tail as it tried to wriggle free.

Lhinx groaned and hung her head as the two boys continued to pummel her with questions and the girl danced around with her tail in her grip.

Silver looked at Lhinx and laughed. The little girl was having some fun with the Ronso's tail and he took his own between his hands. Tails. Maybe the part of his body he liked the most. Fun and handy when fighting or playing blitzball. He stood up and walked over to the boys who asked if Lhinx played blitzball, carrying along his black ball.

"Having some fun, Lhinxie?" he asked, almost laughing. "You know, you sure would to a good mommy someday." He smiled kindly and looked at the kids who were a little confused, not knowing how to act in front of a Demon like himself.

"He's got a tail too!" The little girl squealed and let go of Lhinx's tail quickly.

(Oh, thank goodness.) Lhinx thought as she took hold of her own tail and massaged it where the girl had gripped it tightly. (If being a mother involves my offspring playing squeeze toy with my tail, I'm gonna pass on maternity.)

Lhinx moaned, trying to straighten the fur on her tail.

"Lhinx not around children a lot. Tail not be able to take it long." Lhinx said as the aforementioned part swished around her back, enjoying its renewed freedom of movement.

"Is he a Ronso too?" The first boy asked his friend, talking about Silver.

"No, he doesn't have any gray fur or a horn." The second boy said.

"Hmm." The first boy circled around Silver. "Looks human."

The little girl squealed with delight as she grabbed at Silver's tail.

Silver laughed again and lifted his tail along with the little girl that was holding it tight. He looked down at the boys and smiled. "Nope, I'm no Ronso, but nor am I human. I'm a Demon, a Tiger Demon to be exact." He scratched his head lightly and laughed again, half expecting the children to fear him. Not many people liked Demons, and many thought their children that Demons were bad people without even seeing one in their entire lives.

"Whutsa demon?" The first boy asked.

"It's a really powerful fiend, from what my grandma told me," the second boy said. "Why arentcha reeking havoc on everyone and stuff?"

"Whoa..." The first boy caught sight of the large gunblade at Silver's side. "This thing's huge!"

He pulled at it out of curiosity.

"It's heavy too." He commented.

Lhinx's ear then twitched in the direction of the cabin, where a woman in her late twenties stepped out.

"Jimma, Yuriko, where are you?" The woman called.

"Mommy!" The little girl shouted and ran up to the woman.

"Ma!" The first boy let go of Silver's gunblade and ran up to the woman as well.

"There you are." The woman said as she lifted up the little girl and placed a hand on the head of her son. "I wish you two wouldn't run around so close to the-"

The woman then saw both the Ronso and Silver. She just stared at them, a bit of fear in her eyes.

"Ma?" Jimma asked, tugging at her skirt.

(Uh oh...) Lhinx thought. (She looks too scared to say anything. But...)

The woman held Yuriko closer and turned around, turning Jimma around as well, walking back down to the cabin area.

"Did we do something wrong?" The boy who was left asked both the Ronso and the demon.

Silver knelt, picked his gunblade up, spinning it twice with a wrist movement, and put it into his belt. "How likely of a human," Silver said, somehow disappointed and just loud enough for the woman to hear him. "To fear what they do not know, but when it comes to fighting fiends they call into people like you and me, Lhinx, to save their butts."

Lhinx nodded in agreement, watching as the boy who was left ran off after the blitzball from earlier. "As long as we can save them, fear not bad reward for their safety." Lhinx said.

"You're right," Silver said and smiled. "Maybe someday they will understand we aren't the monsters they think we Demons are. I mean, if they managed to understand Ronso weren't monsters... maybe someday I won't be called one either." Silver shook his head a little and smiled. "Well, maybe in a hundred years. I can wait that long, most likely we Demons can't die before we get one hundred and fifty years old or so, just like you Ronso."

"Hmm..." Lhinx began to think. (Come to think of it, how old can we Ronso get? The oldest Ronso I've met were in Elder Kimahri's age group.)

"As long as you have friends who are human and not fear you that a good start. Serenity is Lady Yuna's daughter. Opinion of mass can be swayed by one with such influence."

"I know... she may be Lady Yuna's daughter, but still I don't know nor care if her influence can make us Demons be liked by people. But it's ok, as you say, as long as I have friends that fear me not and care about me... as long as Serenity does, why do I care if other people do?" Silver smiled at his Ronso friend and pat her shoulder. "You make the name of your race high. Every time I've been in Gagazet they treat me like if I were one of them, and now I know a Ronso to whom I can trust my life."

Lhinx smiled at the compliment and patted the demon's shoulder as well.

"And Lhinx know demon that can be trusted with many lives including Lhinx's." The Ronso said proudly.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lhinx spotted a man wearing the New Yevon symbol on his clothing. He eyed both the demon and the Ronso suspiciously.

(I dunno why, but I have a feeling we're gonna run into some trouble in Luca.) Lhinx thought.

Serenity had made her way up to the second level deck as Zephyr and Silver talked. She needed a good whiff of the sea air, hoping it'd be refreshing and help calm her down for the road ahead of them. She leaned against the railing and watched Kilika disappear, merging in with the horizon as the boat steadily made its course; watching it with a serious gaze as she did when she watched Besaid fade away. Closing her eyes, Serenity preserved the moment, and looked down at the first level to see Silver chatting with Lhinx now, missing the scene they had with the children's mother. Smiling to herself, Serenity turned and put her elbows on the railing now, staring out at the sea ahead of them and hoped for the best when they docked on Luca.

Silver blushed a little and pat her shoulder again. "You watch my tail, and I'll watch yours, and there is no point intended in that," he said, laughing a little and looking up to find Serenity there. He smiled widely and ran towards a pole a few meters away, jumping and kicking it to get to the second level right by Serenity's side.

"Anything interesting?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and staying close to her.

Serenity felt her hair blow back as Silver landed beside her. "Anything interesting?" He had asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Serenity smiled and closed her eyes as she cuddled up close to him, feeling the warmth that came from him. The wind seemed to have picked up, and it felt a bit chilly up there on the second level. "Nah...just...thinking." Serenity opened her eyes and stared back out at the ocean still ahead of them, and the faraway land that was coming closer. "You're good with kids, I see," Serenity commented and laughed slightly.

Heavy, clanking footfalls followed Serenity to the upper deck. A favorable wind whipped up as Zephyr stepped off of the stairs, and the gale blew her hair out of her pale, silver-lined face. She leaned against the railing right by the stairs.

The halfling smiled, looking less imposing, more feminine and, to go out on a limb when speaking of a wiry half-Guado, beautiful. Something about the wind made Zephyr seem more natural, something about her hair blowing in the breeze. She looked out over the ocean, attempting to fade into the background as the pair had their moment.

Right now, they could afford to act like this. Best to let them enjoy it, while Zephyr herself romanced the breeze, coaxed the air into a flow that would hasten their journey to Luca. It wasn't difficult, if one only knew the words.

Lhinx stepped toward the front of the boat, enjoying the spray of ocean water.

Her ear twitched to behind her, hearing footsteps come up to five feet behind her. They then turned and stepped to Lhinx's side, a good distance away from her, but within hearing range still.

"Lovely day isn't it?" The man asked.

Lhinx looked to him, noting him to be the man with the New Yevon symbols from before.

"Yes. Very Nice." Lhinx said, no interest in her tone.

"Yes, perfect for a ride on the sea. Or anything really." The man continued. "Yes, it was a day like this I met my wife. Right on this very boat actually. She was very beautiful. We would go to Blitzball games and go chocobo riding down Miihen Highroad. Any little activity really."

"Is there point to this?" Lhinx asked.

"No no...I'm just a nostalgic fool."

(I'll certainly agree there.) The Ronso thought as the man babbled on and on.

"Most likely kids are the only humans that don't fear me when they see my fangs. Many people can cheer and whistle if I'm playing blitzball, but in a closer look, they get scared. Children don't." Silver kissed Serenity's cheek and looked at the horizon with her. "What about you? I bet you are as kind with children as you mother was to me when I met her for first time," he said and rest his head next to hers.

Tallulah walked straight down and into one of the rooms. She threw her bag on the bed and collapsed just next to it on her stomach. Tears rolled down her cheeks, tears of rage, of sorrow, of regret. Everything she felt, just too many feelings mixed inside of her at the time. Silver was now very fond to his new love and had completely forgotten about her. She gave him her virginity... her pureness... her love and her trust.

But so had him. He gave her everything he had and she just threw that away. The biggest mistake of her life, throw away the loving and caring tiger boy for a macho jerk that wanted nothing but sex, even when she still was a young girl of fourteen back then. Now that she had find Silver again she wasn't going to let go of him so easily.

"...And it was then I decided to become a merchant. I loved to travel, and with my dear Karena at my side my dreams seemed so easily reached." The man wearing Yevon's symbol continued.

"Fascinating..." Lhinx said in a bored tone.

"Mmhmm. Right now, she's pregnant and will be having our first child soon. I'm going back to Luca to be with her right now."

(Doesn't this guy have anyone else to bother?) Lhinx thought.

"You know..." The man continued. "My wife is beginning to support the Youth League."

(Huh?)

"She and I argued so much about it at times, that's partially why she stayed behind at Luca. My family has always followed Yevon and its teachings. They do not know about my wife supporting the Youth League. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not she's right about Yevon though." The man said sadly. "I love my family, but I just feel so confined by what they wish for me to do."

"Ronso not like Yevon much. Do not let others sway decision though. Do what you feel right, not what other feel right." Lhinx said.

"You're right, Ronso. Maybe I shouldn't let my decision be based on what my family did. My wife has always been wise about things, maybe this Youth League thing isn't any different."

Lhinx felt a semi-strong clap on the back.

"Thank you, Ronso, for listening to me. If you need anything while you're in Luca, just go to a vender and say 'I'm a friend of Bobba's.'" The man said.

The man strutted off, making Lhinx sigh in relief.

(Bobba, eh?) Lhinx thought.

Serenity smiled and nodded slightly. "Children...they aren't as prone to judge people as adults are more likely to. That's what I like about them. If you don't look down at them, and treat them equally, you can have a good relationship with kids. That's what we should do...with all people." Serenity turned her head towards Silver's, then all the way around to stare back down on the first level.

"Lhinx there...she's talking with someone affiliated with New Yevon. Probably not by choice," Serenity said, chuckling a bit, "...But they're still talking. And by the looks of it, not fighting, either. That's the way things should be." Serenity turned her head back and rested her head beside Silver's again. "It may be too much to hope for, but that won't stop me from believing in it." Serenity stared back out at the horizon. "You spoke with Zephyr, right? How is she doing?"

He sighed softly and smiled. "She's doing fine, more cheerful than I've ever seen her, which I don't know if it's something good or something to worry about," he said and laughed a little. "Maybe you are right, people should not discriminate others no matter who or what they are. Just... it'll take me a long time to believe in Yevon. We Demons can thank those 'Maesters' for running the rumor we are monsters from the depths of Hell. But I don't care..." Silver turned and faced Serenity "... As long as you don't see me as a monster I don't care what others think." He placed a soft kiss on her lips and embraced her tightly, still careful to be gentle and not hurting her.

Lhinx watched the water pass under them, looking for anything that resembled a large sea serpent from when they had arrived at Kilika.

(Can't be too careful.) Lhinx thought as she continued to watch the water.

"Thinkin' of jumpin' in?" A voice asked from beside her.

The Ronso looked up, observing a young sailor barely her age.

"No. Was on ship to Kilika from Besaid and was attacked. Looking for similar fiend." Lhinx said.

"Hmm, I remember hearin' about that. Well, I doubt there'll be another like it around here. I suspect that serpent was just from within the Besaid Island sea. Not a lot of water fiends attack on the way to Luca now since there's so much sailing back and forth between there and Kilika." The sailor said.

He scratched his chin once, looking down at the sea and then back at the Ronso.

"Then again, it could have a cousin or somethin'. But this boat has enough artillery to fend off any danger. Don't worry so much, Ronso."

The sailor walked off, confidence noted in each step.

(I doubt a fancy harpoon or gun is gonna deter this vessel from being overturned.) Lhinx thought. (I wonder where everyone else is?)

While no one was looking, Zephyr had somehow gotten herself to the top of the flagpole on the upper level of the ship. Her feet were bare, as were her hands, and her jeans were rolled up to reveal a length of pale but muscular leg. Even her leather vest and belt lay on the ground at the base of the pole, allowing her as much freedom of movement as possible.

And so it was that the taciturn Raphaela Guado, known by most as Zephyr, grinned joyfully into the wind as it blew into her face, her obsidian hair flying behind her like a very strange ship's emblem.

While she was aloft, the halfling studiously reminded herself that she was acting as a lookout. If a huge water fiend (or possibly half-fiend, she reminded herself) appeared within miles of the boat, she would be the first to see it through her cobalt spectacles. The first to shout a warning.

But really, she was just goofing off.

Lhinx sat down, leaning back against the rail guard of the boat and closing her eyes in relaxation.

"Biran go to Bevelle. New Yevon wish to speak with Ronso." Biran said to Lhinx one day. The two were older now, Biran's horn almost full-grown now. Both were the size of full-grown humans, which would be offsetting to anyone not familiar with the Ronso.


"Elder Kimahri go?" Lhinx asked curiously.


Biran nodded.


"Elder ask Biran and two others to go with him. We strong and protect Elder." Biran said.


"Elder is strong alone." Lhinx said with a bit of annoyance.


"Elder is being careful bringing Biran and others."


"How long be gone?"


"Be back after one week. Lhinx be good while gone?" Biran was joking from his tone.


"Biran need discipline more then Lhinx." Lhinx said as she jabbed him lightly in the arm.


Both laughed, and then Biran walked off where Elder Kimahri waited with two much older Ronso warriors.

Serenity kissed Silver back and felt herself getting lost in the moment of being in Silver's arms. The noises of the ship soon faded away until all she heard was the ocean and its melodic splashing sounds against the boat. I could spend my life in this sweet surrender... As the long, soft kiss ended, Serenity hugged Silver and held onto him tightly. She then let go and took a small step back. "I'll never see you as a monster, Silver." Serenity smiled warmly at him then shielded her eyes as she looked up at the sky, a nice change from staring out at sea, and she opened her mouth in shock.

"Zephyr? She's...at the top of the flagpole!"

Silver smiled kindly and then looked up to where Serenity was looking. "Whoa! Never thought Guado's could be so... agile!" he laughed, since the Guado Glories weren't really the best team and he always saw Guado's walking slowly and steady. "She will be the watch girl." He laughed again and kissed Serenity's nose, and took a deep dive into her eyes. "Maybe the eyes of your mother are really beautiful, but yours just happen to beat them. These two little stars you've got for eyes... I could spend my whole life staring at them."

Serenity laughed as she continued to gaze up at Zephyr. "I didn't know anyone could be so agile!" She giggled and smiled as Silver kissed her nose, and she looked back down at him as he stared into her eyes. She blushed at his comment and squeezed his hands lightly. "And I'll be here, staring back into yours.: Serenity then smiled and kissed his check, and started jumping up and down on the upper deck, swing her arms upward and then downward and all over the place as well. Why? Probably feeding off Zephyr's sudden energy and silliness.

"Can't you see?" Serenity said in a soft singing voice. "There's a feeling that's come over me. Close my eyes," she closed her eyes and then opened them after a moment, looking back at Silver, "You're the only one that leaves me completely breathless. No need to wonder why." Serenity giggled and went back to Silver, hugging him from behind. "Sometimes a gift like this you can't deny." She got up on the railing and steadied herself, holding out her arms beside her as if she was flying.

She took in a deep breath, looking at all the people on the lower floor, and smiled, singing more loudly yet still keeping her voice sweet and in tune. "Cause I wanted to fly, so you gave me your wings. And time held its breath so I could...see, yeah." Serenity jumped backwards, back on the ground, and held onto Silver again. "And you set me free," Serenity whispered.

Silver blushed a bright red and listened to Serenity's angelic voice. He then wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her lips very gently. "I love you so much, Serenity," he whispered and kissed her again, then her neck softly. "I promise you, no matter what happens, I will protect you forever." He was speechless and blushing like he had never blushed before.

"And I love you." Serenity held onto him tightly and smiled, feeling his face becoming warm from blushing. She giggled and only held him more tightly. 'I promise you, no matter what happens, I will protect you forever.' Silver's words echoed in her mind, and she blinked suddenly, remembering her dream. She had grabbed onto the necklace he had given her, she on the brink of death, but…He never came. Serenity took a couple steps back and shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind. No, it was only a dream. Only a dream… Serenity held onto Silver's hand and made her way towards the stairs.

"Let's go find the others. Maybe you could even give me a few pointers on playing blitzball so I'm not such a spaz when we get in that sphere," Serenity joked.

Silver nodded and lifted Serenity in his arms, then jumped down from the balcony they were, landing on his feet and crouching a little. "This way is faster," he said and took her by the hand. "Don't you worry, you'll do just fine. Your father is a great blitzer, you have it in your blood." Silver poked her belly with his tail once again and smiled.

Lhinx woke up abruptly upon feeling the boat shake a bit at Silver's and Serenity's landing.

The Ronso let out a yawn and stretched both arms. She then stood up and stretched her back, feeling it pop a bit and allow a bit more movement.

Serenity giggled as Silver poked at her belly with his tail again. She poked him in his side with her free hand and made her way over to Lhinx, who seemed to have woken up because of them. "I hope so…it's hard living up to such parents…" Serenity waved cheerfully at Lhinx. "Lhinx! Having a midday nap?" Serenity teased lightly.

Zephyr slowly developed a more solemn look as she heard the words being sung and spoken below. However much she tried not to let them ruin her fun, she couldn't help it; jaded thoughts crossed her mind with every note of Serenity's song.

She felt sorry for the girl. Zephyr wondered if it ever crossed Serenity's mind that Silver had spoken those same words to Tallulah, in days gone by. If it ever occurred to her that it was a mere facade that every man in Spira put up, whenever he loved a girl. Whenever he liked a girl. Whenever he wanted to get a girl in bed with him.

It wasn't so sacred to men. Which was fine, for this particular Guado halfling, because it wasn't sacred to her either. The stronger sex were usually quite shocked by how strong Zephyr was, physically and mentally. And, of course, how casually, almost coldly she thought of love and lust. It was somewhat disconcerting to come across a straight woman who thought that much like a man.

All around there were calm seas, gently stirred by the breath of madness that carried them forward to Luca. Nothing threatening in sight.

But a tempest, contained within a songstress' heart, in the lower decks.

"And I thought I was the lazy one here," Silver added and poked Lhinx playfully as well. For some reason, he'd always felt relaxed and happy around the Ronso, even more than he did around his own keen. Ronso had always been nice to him, even taught him some traditions and stuff in the time he spent living with them at Mount Gagazet. "I'm the kitty here, I should be the one sleeping eighteen hours a day," he joked and wrapped both his arm around Serenity's shoulder and his tail around her waist.

"Just bored. Without fiend attack, boat ride dull. But dull good." Lhinx said as she rubbed some sleep from her eyes.

The Ronso looked up at the flagpole, noticing Zephyr up there.

(She sure is agile.) Lhinx thought. (I wonder what she's doing...well now that I think about it she's probably doin' the same thing I was earlier, looking for fiends. That's a better vantage point anyways.)

"Is there temple in Luca? Or it Youth League mostly?" Lhinx asked.

"I have no idea, but for most people in Luca the Sphere is like the sacred place," Silver said. "It was their only cheer in the time of Sin, and it's still the place in Spira everyone can relate with joy and fun. I think there are many Youth Leagues around, like there were Crusaders in the past."

Serenity nodded and lightly placed one hand on one of Silver's arms that was around her shoulders and one on his tail that was around her waist. "Yeah, I think Luca's one of those cities that are neutral, but it is crawling around with all sorts of people from all over Spira. New Yevon priests, Youth League members…I think I even saw a Ronso there the first time I went to Luca." Serenity rested her head on her hand that was holding onto Silver's arm. "Why do you ask, Lhinx?" she asked. She was curious.

"Just curious." Lhinx said. "Kilika crawling with New Yevon soldiers. We go into temple, arouse suspicion. Might have people following."

(And wondering how welcome one would be to Bobba's help. His family is mostly New Yevon, so what does that say about his friends? I'm certain they'd be within that category.)

Zephyr dropped down from the flagpole in one leap, landing in that strange and impossible pointed-toe crouch with an uncanny grace. "We're almost there," she announced to the ship in general as she pulled on her socks (black-and-white striped boiled wool) and shoes, and eventually her vest and gloves as well. "Or at least," she continued as she stood up and shook her hair out, "it's just visible on the horizon."

(Amazing. Almost like a Ronso.) Lhinx thought when she watched Zephyr land. (But with a grace only a Guado could possess.)

"Lhinx never been to Luca. What it like? Crowded?" Lhinx asked curiously.

"Sure is, people here and there, running all around. Tall buildings, and now that Sin is gone it is getting bigger and bigger. Just like Bevelle and other cities. Now they think it is safe the make them bigger, with lots of machina, and pretty lights like those you can see at Gagazet when the Sun hides" Silver explained "I myself don't like machina that much... though my gunblade is my best friend."

"Not have much machina on Mt. Gagazet, but plenty in Zanarkand. Not big machina, but small. People with spheres come and record everything they see." Lhinx said with a casual demeanor. "Try come on Mt. Gagazet with big machina once. Path too narrow, so they quit."

Serenity looked to the horizon as Zephyr jumped down and said that they were almost there. She couldn't wait till they got off and were on solid ground. And there was so much more to do then sit around on a boat forever. Serenity then glanced back at the ground as they were talking about machina. She wasn't sure what she thought about machina, for the Besaid wasn't exactly machina central.

"I think it'd be a shame to try and put machina on Mt. Gagazet…It's a mountain…and a sacred one at that…But maybe…one day, we could rebuild Zanarkand. Finally piece Spira together again. Though I'm not sure what my mother would say about that…she's rather fond of the ruins. But dad will be able to show her his home at last…" Serenity trailed off. Other than the fact that rebuilding Zanarkand was one far off idea…If…no, when we find them.

"I was borne in those ruins and spent my early childhood there. I like Zanarkand the way it is, save for all those tourists that former Summoner Isaaru brings there" Silver fixed his eyes on the horizon and managed to see Luca very distant "It would be cool to have the original Zanarkand back, as they are trying hard to rebuild Spira's glory like before the Time of Sin."

"But that technology and stuff was what ended up becoming the Great War, and from that war Sin was borne by that Yevon guy, or so Maechen told me when I was a kid. Maybe they can rebuild what Sin destroyed, but let them not overdo it... I don't want my kids to grow up in a world that is dying because people can't learn from their past mistakes."

Silver hugged Serenity tighter, like having the vision of what the Spira could turn into and wanting to protect her.

(The future, eh? What will mine be like...) Lhinx wondered as she listened to Silver. (Will the future Ronso know not to hate the Guado and Yevon? Maybe I can teach them not to.)

Lhinx felt her heart sink a bit.

(But will I have to do it alone?)

Serenity shook her head and laughed a bit bitterly. "…Is Isaaru still doing that? How very cruel that him of all people could turn Zanarkand into a tourist attraction. He may have wanted to see Zanarkand, but…I think he's going about it the wrong way. And you've got a point, Silver. Maybe they could build Zanarkand in within the ruins. Sort of a reminder, you know? Spira's been doing well so far with the machina, I'm sure it will be fine."

Serenity felt Silver hug her tighter, and she smiled slightly. "You plan on having kids, huh, Silver? Oh, invite me to the wedding!" She asked, never really thinking about the future. She lived a sort of sheltered life back on Besaid, and ever since starting this journey, her future could end tomorrow, so she never really thought about it. "Well, whatever happens, we'll be there for each other, right guys? We'll help shape each other's futures."

Zephyr smiled and sat on the railing, looking thoughtfully at the other members of her group. "In my future," she said with an odd glint in her eye, "I hope to attain forgiveness for. . . my kind. A pardon for our less moral deeds, maybe even recognition of our good points, hm?"

The half-Guado smirked and gave Lhinx a playful shove, surprisingly strong for a wiry little thing such as herself. "I think you and I will see a lot of one another even after we find the missing Gullwings. . . we have a bridge to build."

"That sound good. Hope Lhinx father's heart change about Guado. Ronso opinion slowly favoring Guado, but need push." Lhinx said, shaking her head a bit. "You stronger then you look, Zephyr."

Silver kissed Serenity's neck and smiled widely, laughing very softly as she told him about the wedding. He blushed, for he wanted to propose her in that very second all of sudden, but decided not to for he had no ring to give her and that was no romantic place for doing so. "Of course we will always be there, no matter what happens" Silver tilted the bullet hanging from Serenity's neck and kissed her cheek "Just, look at this as our very own pilgrimage.

He looked at Zephyr and pat her shoulder. "Well, you already got one buddy, both Guado and Demons we are not very liked by humans. Count me in."

Zephyr chuckled, that odd glint remaining like an unquenchable flame in her eyes, and smiled. "You might misunderstand," she said quietly, nearly inaudibly, "but I trust that won't matter too much."

(Now what's that supposed to mean?) Lhinx wondered about Zephyr's last comment.

Luca was getting closer. Lhinx heard children squealing with delight and could see an eager child tugging at his father's pants and pointing to the large city.

"Papa! Papa look! Elder Kimahri back!" A very young Lhinx pulled at her father's tail and pointed towards the lumbering Ronso elder as he made his way up the trail to his people.


The black mane male Ronso looked down at the Ronso pup and smiled.


"Go greet with others." Garik said to his daughter as he patted her on the head and watched

the eager Lhinx run off.