-Author's Notes-

This is not (and will not) be an easy chapter for me to write. Shuyin and Lenne's relationship and it's brutal end is not easy to express. More importantly, however,. the hours beforehand are a mystery. Did Lenne know she would see Shuyin's face for the last time when she saw him sitting in Vegnagun? Did Shuyin know that his actions ultimately caused his own and his love's life? While the ideas are clear in my head as to the events of the weeks, months, and even years leading up to Vegnagun, I don't always think I'm getting them clear down on paper. This is not to say that I feel my writing is bad or that others have led me to believe this, this is just my opinion.

I've started and restarted, tweaked and trashed, and thought and rethought this chapter. As I've previously stated (though I don't remember if I did it in author's notes, or in a conversation with someone,) this was supposed to be the last chapter, and it was to lead into the third part of Auron's story. The last chapter will still be doing this, however, I can't justify not putting this interlude into the story before it.

As I begin to write this, I don't have an internet connection to speak of, so the shout-outs will be at the end. Now hopefully.. this goes as well as I plan it.

----

Auron's booted feet trudged through Macalania, leaving dark footprints behind him. Afternoon had turned to evening during his journey from Celestia's habitat, as he stepped over a log as he stifled a yawn. Normally, his training allowed him to continue for hours without fatigue, but the adventure he'd taken in Lake Macalania had taken a great deal out of him, even though he had been resting for three days afterward.

He needed to rest, and so he began to search for somewhere to do so. Taking a small path off to the left, he expected to find a small clearing. Instead, he found a small body of water, surrounded by trees. Looking at the water, he smiled ruefully.

Yuna had come here during her pilgrimage. She'd been followed, but it hadn't been his concern to find out why Jecht's son had done so... though he could hypothesize. Sitting down next to the spring, he closed his eyes. Soon, his breathing slowed, and he fell into a deep slumber...

----

The two ran through the forest, heading towards Bevelle.

Shuyin!

The blonde turned around, slowing down. His eyes quirked in curiosity.

I'm.. I'm tired.

His eyes turned from curiosity to genuine concern.

Are you all right?

She smiled. Shuyin was always concerned about her.

Can we rest?

Shuyin peered through the darkness, finally spotting a path.

Over there.

The two walked through the narrow path, coming out of it near a small spring. Shuyin guided her to it, helping her to the ground.

It's warm tonight.

Shuyin looked over at her, an eye quirking up.

It feels warm, but it might not be. We've been running for quite a while.

No, I can tell. It's warm. See?

She breathed air through her lips, but no misty cloud was formed. She giggled. Shuyin sighed loudly, but the smile was clear in his eyes. Lenne leaned against him, and in turn Shuyin wrapped his arms around her. The two sat in content silence, each enjoying the time they were spending together.

Shuyin?

Hm?

I'm... afraid.

He hugged her closer, kissing the top of her head.

I know.

Am I...

She stopped, unable to finish her sentence.

No. They'll have to go through me.

But... I don't want you to die.

Shuyin looked down at her, a twinkle in his eye.

They won't kill me. Wanna know why?

Lenne looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers.

Why?

Because I'm so pretty. I'm too pretty to die!

Lenne giggled as Shuyin pointed to his jaw.

Look at my jaw. Chiseled beauty. See? Too pretty to die.

Lenne burst out laughing, followed by Shuyin.

You're silly, Shuyin.

But you love me anyway.

Yup.

The two continued laughing until the laughs died down to silence again. The warmth from Shuyin and the surrounding air weighed down on Lenne, and the activity of the day caused her eyelids to droop...

Soon, she was asleep in her lover's arms.

I sense you are feeling... tired.

And she screamed.

Lenne!

Lenne jumped to her feet, looking around, her eyes unfocused. She was confused and scared; it was easy to tell. Shuyin stood up, and attempted to pull her close to him. She ripped her body from him, and ran towards the water. Just before she entered it, she fell to her knees.

W..where... what happened?

Shuyin sat down in front of her, lifting her face to meet his.

We're in the lands south of Bevelle. Remember Lenne? I freed you.

L-Lady Yunalesca?

Shuyin gritted his teeth. No matter what it took, he'd make sure the 'lady' got what was coming to her.

She's not here. You're safe.

For a moment, Lenne seemed to calm down, but then started to shake again. She tried to shake free of Shuyin's grip on her face, but it was too strong. She squeezed her eyes shut, angry tears flowing from her eyes.

I'm not safe! Don't you understand! She'll find me, and she'll make me fight!

Lenne. Look at me.

Her eyes remained shut.

Lenne. It's Shuyin. Look at me.

Her eyes flowed with more tears, yet still remained closed.

All right, keep them closed. Just answer my questions. Have I ever lied to you?

N...n...no.

Have I promised to keep you safe, and do you believe that I would fulfill that to the cost of my own life if needed?

Lenne's eyes blinked open, her eyes reddened from tears.

Yes.

Shuyin pulled her closer to him, his lips brushing against hers.

Believe.

Her eyes met his, and her tears finally began to dry.

I won't allow her to hurt you again. I promise.

Her eyes, still glistening, looked into his and for a moment they both stared unblinking into each others eyes. Shuyin slowly pulled her to a nearby tree, then sat down next to it, Lenne soon following.

Lenne, you should rest. You're going to need it.

She looked up at him nodding, then laid her head down on his chest.

I love you Shuyin.

He kissed the top of her head.

I love you too.

----

Auron woke up, shaking the cobwebs out of his head. Checking his surroundings, he saw that he was alone, and with a quick check, he saw that he was missing nothing. Standing up, he began to make his way out of the clearing, heading towards the Thunder Plains.

He could clearly remember the dream he'd had, but he'd long since given up on any of the dreams he would have being anything then about Lenne. This didn't bother him, however. It made his course more clear, his path more steadfast. While this was a long journey, he found himself intrigued by the woman and the intricacies of her final days and hours.

Yu Yevon had planned this carefully. Knowing what he had seen, he began to construct what he knew in some sensible fashion.

The war between Bevelle and Zanarkand had been caused by... he wasn't sure. History books had never been clear, only that the war had been fought by machina. In the time of this war, heavy casualties had been suffered on both sides. Sin had been the secret weapon of Zanarkand, and in the long run it had been successful for it's purpose. It had stopped the war.

Did Bevelle know about Sin? Did they have a response to it?

Auron shook his head as he walked out of the deep forest, and on to the storm ridden plains. It was time. The Gullwings would know something of Lenne... and even if they didn't, they might be able to help.

"Yuna. Our stories intertwine again."

-------------------

Now to switch up order...

Shout! Shout! Shout! Awooooga! Awooooga! Shout! Shout! Shout! All Hands to Battle Stations!

(Now with numbers!)

T3h Iron R3aver - I changed it. Lemme alone. I'll beat you with a stick.

T3h Nightfire04 - Thanks. Look out for falling cows. Mooo.

And finally...

T3h Ub3rsom3 Jasmine32 - Yeah. You rock. I'm sorry this took so long, but I tell you why soon.

-
So this chapter was supposed to be long, really indepth.

Why isn't it? Because I didn't have the skills, lol.. Nah, just kidding. I was going to make it really crazy in-depth, but I thought about it. I came back to my own ideas, and I came back to it. Why bother? Not in a bad way, do I say this. I didn't need it to be in-depth, I needed it to be simple. I needed it to be simple, so that it showed what happened, but that it got the point of what I wanted to happen across. Plus, I just needed to get this out of the way.

As I write this, I realize that this next chapter will be the last, with an epilogue leading into the next. It's gonna be neat. Stay tuned.