A Generation of Aeons
Chapter Twenty-Eight

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X or X-2.

Last Time:

"Takoire is heir to the legacy of ages by blood. As I'm sure Sareth told you, he hated the idea. He used to tell me that he didn't want to protect anyone he didn't know or didn't choose." Arkon paused. "Because only the Bevelle royal family knows the last stanza of the summoner of yore's prophecy and how it indicates the summoner is female… I've heard rumors that you're the summoner of yore, and Takoire left to look for you."

"Me?" Lenne questioned, confused. "I'm not the summoner of yore! What…"

Arkon shook his head. "You are a high summoner with no training whatsoever. You manifested Suzaku just inside this city, and all of Spira knows that. You're no ordinary summoner, Lenne." The prince of Bevelle paused. "All I'm trying to say is if you and Takoire have a relationship, it's best that not too many people know about it."

Two days passed, and Takoire and Lenne made an eventual recovery. Even after Lenne's conversation with Arkon, the prince of Bevelle remained as patient and kind as he had been when they had first met. During their stay in Bevelle, Lenne noted that the behavior between Takoire and Arkon was similar to that of brothers, neither acting any older or any younger as well as similar to the relationship between herself and her distant cousin Gaia.

But after the conversation, Lenne was unsure where she stood with her guardian. Their almost kiss… she couldn't explain what happened. First, she was angrier with him than she had ever been in her entire life, and for some reason, she felt jealousy. Seru, her friend, had or still was engaged to her guardian. There were reasons to be angry, but not jealous.

And then before she knew it, she was dancing with Takoire and all was forgotten. Takoire was her guardian and best friend again, and everything was right. Then, suddenly, she saw him differently. She felt things when she saw him that she didn't understand.

Lenne, Takoire, Kiron, Seru and Zaon were all within the prince of Zanarkand's room. It was almost completely identical to Lenne's room, with the exception of a few differences in decoration. Zaon stood removed in the corner of the room, his arms crossed, wearing, as usual, a blank expression. Kiron and Seru sat next to each other on the centerpiece couch in the room. Across from them sat Lenne, with Takoire standing behind her.

Over the past few days, everything returned to normal, especially between Takoire and Lenne. The summoner and guardian acted as if nothing had ever happened between them. Takoire had never kept any secret from Lenne, their argument had never happened, they had never made up, and they never almost kissed.

"While you two were unconscious," Kiron started, "my father sent me a message."

"What?" Lenne asked.

"He wanted me to go back to Zanarkand immediately. It wasn't the prospect of me being in Bevelle that bugs him, though…"

"He found out, didn't he?" Takoire said. "Not only did he not like the idea that I was back in Bevelle, he found out about Seru."

Kiron nodded. "Yunalesca's been doing everything she can to keep father calm, but she's sent word that she can't keep it up much longer. Seru, Zaon, and I need to get going to Zanarkand. I can only pray to the Cheribum that he'll listen to me."

"How did he find out?" Takoire asked.

"You know how it is," Seru said. "The maesters have eyes and ears everywhere in each other's cities. Yunalesca told us we've become Spira's gossip."

"Right," Lenne sighed. "Two high summoners. One is a prince of Zanarkand and the other no one knows anything about. Neither have had summoners' training. And they're both in Bevelle. Not to mention all of Bevelle is talking about the return of the former Lady Seru and Lord Marshal Apprentice Takoire."

"But I'm guessing that the main problem you have to deal with right now is whether or not your father will let Seru stay on as one of your guardians," Takoire added.

Kiron heaved a sigh. "It's a bit more complicated than that." The prince laced his hands with Seru's and smiled at her. "I tried to picture my life without Seru, it didn't work. I care about her more than anything; she's the only thing that's important to me. And it only took me four assassination attempts, a twinge of jealousy for Alor, one really big argument, and a dance to figure it out."

Lenne watched her friends; both were practically glowing. She found a smile. "I'm happy for you."

"It's about time!" Takoire jeered.

"Here! Here!" Zaon agreed.

They all chuckled softly, and Kiron gladly held Seru close.

The daughter of high summoner Yuna suppressed the small twinge of jealousy that had suddenly appeared. "I guess that means you have to leave before the day's out."

Kiron frowned. "Yes, we can't put it off any longer."

"We want to stay with you until you take the Cheribum's test," Seru insisted, "but if we wait any longer, things will only get worse."

"I understand," Lenne said, "but you're not leaving unless Takoire and I walk you to your airship.'

"She's got a point," Takoire agreed, crossing his arms.

Standing up, the prince of Zanarkand smiled. "We wouldn't have it any other way." He motioned to the door, and the party walked out together.

They walked through the temple-palace, quiet, unsure of what to say to each other.

Meeting them at the grand entrance was Arkon. He waved. "I heard you and your guardians were leaving, High Summoner Kiron."

"High summoner? Most people call me prince first before high summoner," Kiron answered.

"If you and I share half the experiences I think we do," Arkon said, "then I think we like to use the title we earned, not the one just dropped on us."

Kiron held out his hand. "I believe if we had more time, I would like to get to know you better."

"The feeling's mutual," Arkon said. "My best to you and have a safe journey."

"Thank you."

Arkon turned his attention to Seru. "Good luck, Seru. As I've said before, I feel better knowing you're all right. And please, tell your mother I said hello."

She grinned. "I will. I'm sure she'll be glad to hear it, you were her husband's cousin after all."

He shook his head. "You know, I still don't understand that whole thing. You're dad was my cousin but I'm only three years older than his daughter…" Arkon whisked the idea away. "I'm going to give myself a headache. In any case, it was good seeing you again."

"You too, and good luck on your pilgrimage."

"Thanks. I'll need it." He motioned to the doors. "We'll, I'd best get out of your way. You don't want me keeping you."

With a nod from Kiron, the group made their way through Bevelle. Takoire and Kiron were in front while Lenne and Seru were a ways behind them. Zaon was, as usual, in the back, eyeing everything and ready to attack at a moment's notice.

"What are you waiting for?" Kiron asked his friend, his tone voicing genuine curiosity.

Takoire gave him a skeptic look. "Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for what…" Kiron mocked. "You know, the whole telling Lenne ordeal."

"Telling her what?" Takoire asked, as innocently as he could.

"Telling her what! What kind of question is that?"

"A perfectly reasonable one. Your first question was rather vague, and I was just looking for something a little more specific. I can't answer your question if I don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"Don't give me that," Kiron said warningly, "and don't try to turn it around on me. When do you plan on telling Lenne how you feel about her?"

"Right… I'm getting advice from a prince, who when I first met, hit on my summoner."

"Uh…" Kiron scratched his head uncomfortably. "About that…"

"Waiting…"

"Does the fact that I was almost killed four times help my situation at all?"

Takoire shrugged. "Probably not, but even if I ignore that factor, I'm not the one who pretended to have a hissy fit because of his sister being around. It wasn't because of Yunalesca that you were mad, was it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about…"

"You were mad because Seru was spending all her time with Alor. So, remind me again, why should I take advice from you?"

Kiron shook his head wearily. "Did they make you take a political course as part of your lord marshal training?"

"Of course. You can't have a lord marshal that doesn't know how to hold his own against a simple politician."

The prince let out a hearty laugh. "Then I'll get straight to the point. It's obvious how you and Lenne feel about each other, so just tell her already and screw the rules."

"So…"

"So what?" Seru asked innocently.

Lenne gave her a stern stare. "Tell me about you and Kiron. How did it happen? Who did what? You can't leave me like this!"

Looking at her summoner friend, Seru laughed, and Lenne soon followed suit. "All right, all right, I'll tell you. I guess it all started at the feast. You know, after we switched partners, Kiron and I were pretty much going through the motions, but then, he really surprised me. His exact words were 'I'm sorry for acting so stupid.'"

"Kiron said that?"

Seru nodded eagerly. "Can you believe it? Quite the difference from the prince who started this pilgrimage."

"Definitely."

"Anyway, when he said that, well, he mostly mumbled it, but that's not the point, I wanted to jump up and down. I told him I was sorry for keeping secrets from him, but he wouldn't hear any of it. Just then, everything felt right, better than right." Seru paused. "A few days later, while you and Takoire were still unconscious, I was standing in my room, and all of a sudden Kiron was there, holding me. He told me that after his father had contacted him, and he had some time to think. He said he had thought about his life in Zanarkand without me… and said he couldn't picture it." She smiled and held her hand up to her lips. "And then he kissed me."

Lenne smiled. "Who knew Kiron could be romantic?"

Seru chuckled. "I don't think he was trying to be romantic."

With a smile, Lenne nodded. "Now that sounds more like Kiron. You know, he had really cheesy pick up lines."

Seru playfully hit Lenne on the shoulder. "Hey! He doesn't do that anymore!"

"Of course not! And if he does, he certainly doesn't say them in front of you, he doesn't need to! He's already won you over, and he wouldn't send a cheesy line to some girl in front of you! Cheribum, think what you would do being such an accomplished mage! He could be barbequed, drowned, electrocuted and/or frozen solid!"

Seru glared. "I think you've spent way too much time with Takoire for your own good. You always have something to shoot back."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Why? Because it has something to do with Takoire?"

Lenne glared. "Well, I wasn't the one engaged to him…"

"True. Although I wasn't the one who almost kissed him…"

"Oh," Lenne blushed a bright red, "you… uh… you saw that?"

"Cheribum, both of you are pretending that it didn't happen, aren't you?" Lenne remained speechless. "Let me tell you something. Ever since Kiron kissed me, everything seems better. Those awkward moments are gone. You know, if you hugged you would think: am I supposed to be doing this? Or those hand brushes that had you both looking away?"

Reaching the port, everyone saw a small, navy colored airship docked. On the deck in silver was the crest of the Zanarkand royal family, exactly like Kiron's summoners' brand with the exception of the sword. Judging by its size and shape, the vessel was not meant to hold a large amount of occupants. That particular airship was built for speed.

"Jeez, your father must be really anxious to see you," Takoire said. "His personal airship?"

Kiron shrugged. "I think my father's more anxious to interrogate me than to see me."

"Your father, no doubt, has a detail of soldiers waiting for Seru the moment we disembark from the ship," Zaon said bluntly.

"I'll cooperate," Seru answered simply.

"Like hell you will," Kiron returned. "I'm not going to have them treating you like some common criminal."

"Kiron," Seru continued, "that's not going to help the situation or impress your father."

"I don't care; impressing my father isn't what I'm trying to do. I won't have it." The prince looked at Seru. "You're too good for that, and I won't have my father doing anything about your mother, either. She deserves to be where she is."

"I wish I could be there to help," Lenne said.

"Don't worry about it too much," Seru assured back. "You just think about the Cheribum's test."

"Oh, I'm going to miss you guys so much!" Lenne admitted, enveloping Seru in a hug. "Seru, if I could choose a sister, you'd be it in a heartbeat."

Her eyes swelling with tears, Seru hugged her friend back. "I feel the same way… if you ever need anything…"

Sniffling, Lenne smiled. "I'll remember."

Takoire and Kiron stood nearby shaking their heads, their arms crossed. "Women…" the guardian grunted.

"No kidding…" the prince agreed.

"Jerks!" Lenne said, softly pushing her guardian.

Seru did the same to Kiron and added sarcastically, "No kidding…"

Smiling, Takoire held out his hand to Kiron. "I'll see you around."

Kiron took it. "Good luck."

"There," Takoire finished. "See? Done."

With a shake of her head, Lenne gave Kiron a quick hug leaving Kiron wide-eyed. "And what was the purpose of that hug?"

"It's part of my standard good-bye," she replied. "I'm really glad you had a personality change and that you gained enough brains to admit how you feel about Seru."

"Why?"

"I don't have to deal with your cheesy pick up lines anymore."

Takoire started laughing and found it hard to contain himself before Kiron knocked him down. "Sorry. But it was just too funny."

Kiron gaped at Lenne. "I… uh… um… well… you see…"

She shrugged. "It was pretty obvious too. I don't think anyone could have missed it."

He pouted. "Well, if you're ever in Zanarkand, just drop by the palace. You and Takoire."

"We will," Takoire answered.

"Hopefully," Kiron added, "we'll see you again before you attempt the Cheribum's test."

Lenne nodded and turned to Kiron's other guardian. "Don't worry, I'll miss you too, Zaon. Good luck with your wedding."

Zaon grunted, and everyone laughed.

Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, Takoire frowned. "I'm no good at good-byes. Probably why I ran away." He paused. "Zaon." The former Zanarkand officer only nodded his head. "Seru…"

"Don't say anything. I'm not accepting any apologies."

"But-"

"No buts," Seru continued. "Just relish in the fact that you were a horrible fiancé." She approached him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I like you better just as a friend."

"Works for me," Takoire responded.

"We better be off," Kiron said, his voice filled with regret.

"Right…" Lenne somewhat agreed.

And with a small, sad smile, Lenne and Takoire watched their friends Kiron, Seru and Zaon board the airship for the city called Zanarkand.

Author's Notes:

Final Revision