Chapter 17: Brats

"No, No, No!" I said waving my hands. We had been at this football thing for nearly two hours and it was getting very annoying. Bickson didn't want to tackle right; he wanted to drop kick people in the face. "You can't tackle like that, Bickson. Balgerda's a girl. This isn't blitzball!" I scolded.

Bickson shrugged, "Sorry."

I sighed and showed him how to tackle. Maybe I should've taught them basketball or baseball instead. After a couple more hours, they finally began to get the hang of it and in all honesty, they weren't that bad.

I was sitting on the grass of the open field watching them play, when a shadow blocked my view. I looked up and saw Tidus smiling at me. "What do you want spaz?" I asked trying to push him to one side.

"I want to know what's wrong with you. You've been sulking since we left Luca." He asked sitting beside me.

"I just have a lot if things on my mind." I whispered.

"Is it what Auron said?"

I shook my head, "No. I couldn't care less about what Auron said."

"Then what's wrong?" he said cocking his head to one side, trying to catch my gaze.

"Why do you care?"

He smiled and playfully put his arm around me, "You are my sister after all."

I pushed him away, "Get away from me before I get the Tidus-cooties."

"Does it have anything to do with that guy I saw you sitting with before we left Luca?"

My eyes widened, "You saw my flop?" I asked.

"What did you do to him? His face flushed then he walked away."

"I really don't want to talk about it…" I said turning away.

Tidus gave me suspicious look, "I'm gonna go talk to Yuna." He said getting up and walking away.

Yeah at least he still had Yuna. I looked back at the game and saw that a mass of people had gathered. Graav and Letty, the two captains, were trying hard to explain the rules to the people. I watched on intently as a new game began with some of the new people playing. It was pretty cool to see I had introduced a new thing. And it was taking off. "It's getting late." I heard a voice say. I turned around and saw Auron standing behind me.

"Oh really." I said returning to the game.

"You're a guardian now. You need to rest so you can be at full strength to protect Yuna."

"Who said I wanted to be a guardian anyway? You just assumed I wanted the job."

"I didn't assume anything. The Fayth told me to make sure you stayed with us. I'm quite sure Lulu and Wakka wouldn't have approved of you just lagging on with us like dead weight. You would've been left behind in Luca. I won't force you to come in if you don't want to. But you should know: the shopkeeper has a package for you from someone named…Gippal."

I stood quickly and turned to Auron. But he was already walking away, over to Tidus and Yuna. A package…for me? I ran into the shop and over to the front desk, "Hi…Sir Auron said there was a package for me?"

"You're name is Siry?" she asked.

"Yes. That's me."
She reached under the counter and handed me a small bag, "The man's instructions were to give you this and this." she handed me a small scrap of paper. The note was written in Al Bhed so it took me a few minutes to decipher the message but when I finally could understand what it said, I read it out loud, "Use these well…That's it?" I griped looking the note over. I even flipped it on the back but no other writings could be found. I opened the brown bag and peeked inside. I reached in and pulled out a pair of black leather and of course fingerless gloves. I ran my hands over the back of the gloves. They felt so smooth until I came across what felt like thread. Turning them over, I examined the careful stitching on the glove. It read 'Vaynmacc'. I puzzled over the word. I knew it was Al Bhed but I couldn't quite decipher it. I walked over to the counter, "Excuse me can you tell me what that says?" I asked the girl.

She leaned over and examined the stitching, "Fearless." She replied.

"Thank you." I turned around and walked back to my seat. Fearless? Why in the world would he give me this? Did that mean he really cared for me too? I doubt it but I'll ask him before I wear them. I tucked them into my pocket just as Yuna, Auron, and Tidus walked into the agency. "Bedtime." Auron said walking by me.

"Yes daddy." I mumbled. Geez this guy gives out more orders than a drill sergeant on steroids. I absolutely adore him! Oh wait, I forgot about the guys outside playing football. I ran outside and discovered they were still playing even though they could barely see. It reminded me of the times my friends and I would stay out until one or two in the morning playing football. I could hear the people cheering from the sidelines as if this was a blitzball game. It was a wonder that there were no broken bones. But I guess they'll be okay without me. I walked back inside and settled in for the night. My sleep was interrupted by someone jumping onto the bed beside me. "Go away Tidus!" I groaned rolling over.

"Come Siry. They're serving breakfast downstairs. I know you're hungry. You didn't eat before we left Luca."

"If you don't get off my bed, they'll have to feed you that oh so wonderful breakfast through a straw." I snapped pulling the blanket tighter around me.

I felt the bed move as Tidus got up, "Fine. Looks like I need reinforcements." I heard his footsteps outside the room then two muffled voices. The door creaked open and a dry commanding voice rang in my ears, "Up. Now." Auron ordered.

I jumped up from bed and saluted him, "Yes sir!"

He turned to Tidus, "All you had to do is be a little firm with her." He said walking out of the room.

"You're such a brat!" I said, looking at Tidus.

"You're a lazy brat." He countered, leaving too.

Ugh remind me again why I like him? I took a quick shower and was pulling on my boot as I came down the stairs. "Bout time, ya." Wakka said as I walked over to the table he was sharing with Lulu.

"So what's for breakfast?" I asked, rubbing my hands together.

"They stopped serving breakfast like ten minutes ago." Wakka said, "We called to you eight times but you never answered."

I rolled my eyes, "What the heck am I supposed to eat then?" I asked.

"You should've gotten up." Auron answered, "Here." He handed me a few scraps of bacon from his plate.

Bacon from Auron…I shall treasure this forever. Or at least until I eat it. The others went outside. Tidus and I were walking together when he bumped into a man in a tacky yellow coat. "Behtyr sa." The man said. Translation: Pardon me.

"Ed'c ugyo." I replied, "Are you Rin by any chance?" Translation: It's okay.

He nodded, "I am Rin owner of this establishment. I was surprise to hear you respond in Al Bhed. You know the language?"

"It's a bit rusty but I get along."

"What's your name?"

"Siry."

Tidus looked back and forth between us, "So uhh…" he started.

I looked at him, "Oh Rin, this is Tidus a good friend of mine." I said introducing Tidus.

"I take it you do not know Al Bhed?" Rin asked looking at him.

Tidus shook his head. "Well I think you should learn. Maybe then you can talk to the Al Bhed like you actually have brain cells." I said hitting his back.

He stuck his tongue out at me as Rin rummaged through the bookshelf. "Aha," he said pulling the dusty old book from the shelf, "This is an Al Bhed primer. They can be found all over Spira but I will give this to you in commemoration of our meeting." Rin said handing him the book.

Then suddenly we heard: "AHHHHHH! SOMEONE HELP! THE CHOCOBOS!"

Tidus and I exchanged a glance as Auron appeared in the doorway, "That's our cue." He said disappearing outside.