A/N: Hey, I'm finally back with an update. I apologize for the wait. But I had to finish up New Life, and I'm writing another story called Elemental War. –Look for it soon, put me on Author Alert if I'm not on there already and read to the bottom, I'll have a preview of the story down there- Plus, AP Bio, which is like the HARDEST class ever! Oh! And I retook the SAT! I WENT UP 90 POINTS! I HAVE A 1780! –went up 50 in .. can you guess? WRITING!- lol okies well this is pointless, so, enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything... nope not me! Nothing!

000

Fighting For Life

The snow crunched under her boots as she approached the small cottage. 'Only took long enough' she thought as she walked up to the small house. 'Walking is not my thing…'

As she was halfway down the pathway the door to the small cottage flew open and a girl walked out to meet her. "Crystal!" she called as she walked towards her.

Crystal smiled, "Hi, Sakura," she greeted to girl. "It's been a while."

She nodded her head, her light brown hair falling in her face. "Too long, come in. I was just making tea and watching the sphere… They found some Zanarkand spies."

Crystal raised an eyebrow, "You don't say…" She briskly followed Sakura into her home. Sakura continued into the kitchen as Crystal sat and eyed the sphere. She growled at the image on the Guado Maester on it.

"We are pleased to announce, the war is turning around. We have found two of Zanarkand's top spies. They were tried and prosecuted to the fullest extent of Yevon's law." He paused momentarily as the crowd cheered. He raised his arm signaling for the crowd to settle down. When the cheers turned down to a murmur, he continued his speech.

"I must say, I was disappointed to find that they were once followers of the temples. Actually one was a former warrior monk, Auron Mareski. However, his notoriety isn't as bad as his accomplice, Brooke Rassi of Besaid Island."

Crystal jumped up off the couch. "What!"

Sakura reentered the living room as Crystal was walking toward the front door. "Where are you going, Crystal?"

She pointed to the sphere. "That ignoramus sentenced the chosen one to the Via Purifico! I'm going back to Bevelle!"

"Now? Crystal, it's a two day walk, if not three," Sakura called after her.

Crystal opened the door and walked out, her eyes darted around making sure no one was there. She smiled at her friend as she replied, "I know, but…" a set of white, leathery feeling wings emerged from her back. "Who said I was walking?"

"Crystal! What are you doing?" she shrieked. "What if you're seen!"

She shook her head. "I won't be." With those words spoken she took to the air, heading back towards Bevelle.

888

I gasped as the cold water washed over me, taking a significant amount of water into my lungs. When I surfaced, I broke out into a cough fit, trying to rid myself of the unwanted liquid.

Once my breathing became somewhat normal again, I decided to take a look for my weapons. I took a deep breath before diving under the cold water. I swam to the bottom and groped around, trying to get a feel for something. When my hand brushed against something, I quickly grasped it and swam back to the surface. I took in a deep breath of air as I broke surface and took a gander at the object I grabbed. I grinned, it was my sword. I placed it back in its sleeve and took another dive down.

To find my daggers I had to make three trips down to the bottom of this water hell. They were smaller than my sword and further apart, maybe by like seven feet. After finally rearming myself I could feel the muscles in my body ache and I was finding I couldn't hold myself up any longer. I leaned back and allowed myself to float on the top of the water. "What a gay way to kill someone…" I muttered.

I felt a slight sting on the top of my forehead as the dirty water made contact with one of my wounds. I sighed. 'This sucks. I would rather have a brutally painful, but quick death. This crap is just until I give in to fatigue.' "There has to be some exit… no jail is inescapable."

I groaned as I mustered up my strength and started to swim towards the left. "Bastard," I growled as my thoughts traveled to the blue haired Maester. "What the hell was he thinking…"

My muscles began to tighten once more and it was becoming difficult to swim. 'Maybe this won't be a long drawn out thing after all…'

888

The fiend burst into pyreflies as the blade of his sword dug into its neck. "Pathetic…" He shouldered his sword as he continued to walk. "This is obscene… The only way I'll die is by starving to death."

He sauntered around the labyrinth taking out the fiends that approached. 'I wonder how Brooke is fairing…'

His mind took on the thoughts of Brooke in her watery prison. His grip on the hilt of his Katana tightened as his anger grew. He slashed through a hard-shelled fiend with ease and continued to walk on. "I must find the exit."

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About two and half hours later, she landed quietly in the dark outskirts of Bevelle, immediately she retracted her wings. She looked around to check that no one had seen her land. 'I must make haste; there is no time to lose.'

She grabbed the sides of her gown before she took off running towards the temple. 'I just hope he'll listen…'

888

"This is so gay" I cursed as I floated in the water. I closed my eyes momentarily, trying to calm myself. I wanted to scream and cry at the same time. This isn't fair, I'm 18. I shouldn't even be in this position. I should be home, getting ready for my wedding.

"Damn it!" I slapped the water, spritzing droplets of water onto my face. "This isn't fair," I muttered sadly as I felt tears well up in my eyes. I brought my hand to my face and wiped at my eyes. "I'm not going to cry now…"

I said that to myself, like I had time to do it anyway. As soon as I said that, the water current shifted. Or should I say, the stilled water was now moving and a wave of it washed over my face. "…the hell?" I sputtered out as I spit out water.

An ominous feeling washed over me and I suddenly realized… I wasn't alone.

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The people watched her as she ran past, some of the older people complaining about young people always on the run. She didn't even give them a second glance- her mind was set. 'The fate of this human population, depends on this one girl…'

As she came to the temple she ran up the stairs, sometimes skipping up two at a time. She stopped running as she entered the temple and walked briskly up the grand staircase to a long hall of doors.

Gracefully, she swept down the hall, to a certain door. She lifted her eyes and read the name on the door. 'Praetor Baralai.'

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I couldn't even grab a weapon to protect myself. The second I reached out for it, something wrapped around my legs and pulled me under the water. I waved my arms around frantically vainly trying to stop the decent. 'What the hell!' I felt something jab into my leg and my eyes shot open. I had to rub my eyes a few times to be sure I was seeing correctly.

'Evrae…' SHIT! This is a bad thing, a very bad thing. I grabbed the hilt of my sword and tried to pull it out of its sheath, but it wouldn't budge. 'Fuck, shit, crap!' My mind screamed as the worm pulled me further into the water. My heart was racing and my lungs were starting to burn from the lack of oxygen. This was a really bad time to panic, not that that meant I wasn't going to.

I pounded on the tail of it, desperately trying to get free. 'My lungs are gonna burst if I don't get free…' That when it finally came to me, talk about epiphany. My daggers. I grabbed them and pulled them off my waist and jammed them in the tail as far as they could be pushed in.

The monster jerked violently and practically threw me away from it. I immediately swam for all I was worth up to the surface. Finally making it, I took a much need breath of air. As I was gasping for air, I whipped out my sword and held it tightly in my hand. 'Guess they make sure no one escapes…This sucks, so much…'

No sooner had my breathing become slightly regular again the beast came at me again. It lifted it head out of the water and with one of its claw like hands, picked me up. It held me up in the air, squeezing tightly on my rib cage. I screamed out in pain as its sharp nail like claws dug into my back. Practically out of instinct, I dragged the blade of my sword along its talon.

The beast roared and threw me out of its hand. I spun in the air as I flew across the room. With my shoulder, I slammed into the wall. A reasonably loud crack echoed and an intense pain shot through me, before I dropped down into the water. I could feel my body go limp, as my eyes began to droop from the pain seething through my body. Motionless, I drifted down to the bottom. The grip on my blade was nonexistent and it drifted down to the floor, quicker than I.

The last breath of air I had in me left in the form of bubbles, rising towards their own freedom, an idea I had given up on. I could feel my eyes roll into the back of my head as I welcomed the darkness.

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She opened his door and stepped inside. A young girl with red hair was sitting at the desk. She seemed to be reading over some documents. Crystal walked past her toward the room the Praetor was occupying. "Excuse me, Miss. Praetor Baralai is currently tired from his journey from Djose. I am sorry, but he doesn't wish for visitors today"

"Well, I need to discuss a few things with him, therefore, I will be going in there," she said with a roll of her eyes as she grasped the door's handle.

The woman placed her hand on Crystal's wrist, "You can not enter there…"

The brunette growled. "Then you tell, Praetor Baralai that Crystal Bahumet is waiting to speak with him and that I have some information on Zanarkand that he needs to know."

The red head's eyes widened before she nodded. "I will tell him, please wait here." She quickly cracked open the door and slipped in, leaving Crystal outside. A few moments passed before the door opened again, this time Baralai was standing there. "What do you know?"

888

Of course I couldn't even welcome death, because just before I was completely out, the bastard grabbed me with its tail and threw me up into the air, allowing air to enter once more into my lungs. It tossed me through the air like a rag doll, catching me with its tail before I could hit the water again. 'Oh for the love of Yevon, just kill me already…'

Instead of just allowing me to die, it wanted to toy with me some more. It dragged me back under the water, swimming in circles. I slumped forward, not fighting in the least. 'Ree-Ree, I'm sorry… I give up…'

'Some chosen one, giving up already? What about you're revenge on Zanarkand…You going to let Seymour get away with this?'

My anger boiled at the mention of Seymour. My eyes shot open; we were along the floor of this watery pit. I reached out getting a hold on one of my daggers and pulling it out of its tail before latching it to the belt of my pants. I stretched my good arm out once more, pulling out the remaining dagger. I ripped it out, widening the wound it already had. The monster growled in anger before releasing me and swimming off.

However, I didn't even have time to think before it turned about and came at me full force. 'Oh Shit!' It opened its mouth and clamped down on my left hip. I went to scream out as I felt its teeth tear into my skin, ripping apart my muscles and tendons as it clamped down harder; however, when I screamed out, I got a mouthful of water. My eyes started to sting and my lungs were begging for oxygen. The water around me immediately turned red from the amount of blood seeping from my wounds. 'Is this … the end?'

888

Baralai practically ran along the hallway towards the Via Purifico, Crystal following closely behind. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Maester Seymour has made a huge mistake."

He sighed as they approached a bolted door. "If I had been here when this occurred this might have been slightly easier. I would know where she was put in and could determine where she may be now; however…"

"No matter, as long as she herself is fine," she answered as she placed her hands on her hips awaiting the doors opening.

After fiddling with the lock, the Praetor finally opened the lock. With a forceful heave and a lot of dust, the door was finally open. The only thing, they didn't find the person they wanted to find there. Instead, standing there was the stoic warrior who was the first to speak. "Do you have Brooke?"

Crystal's eyes widened slightly before turning back to their normal calm look. "You mean she isn't in there?"

Auron shook his head and in a grave tone said, "No, she was put in the water prison."

Baralai's eyes widened significantly. "I'm sorry… but there isn't much I can do now…"

Auron's head shot up and he glared at the Praetor. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well… Evrae Altana is in the water prison. I hate to say this, but there is very little chance she's alive now," he said adverting his gaze to the floor. "I apologize."

Auron grabbed the Praetors collar and shoved him up against the nearest wall. "Take me to her immediately."

Shocked by the sudden aggression of Auron, the Praetor stuttered on his words. "I, uh… uhm… Very well…"

888

Well, thank Yevon that someone up there is on my side. As soon as the beast took a chuck of my hip, its body began to convulse violently, before an explosion of pyreflies occurred, sending me out of the water at an extreme speed, ultimately allowing air to enter into my lungs.

I cried out in pain after I landed awkwardly back into the water. My arm throbbed and I couldn't move it. I floated on my back as tears careened down my face.

888

After finding their way towards the watery prison, Baralai looked down into the water and said, "We aren't going to find her… That is if she's even alive."

"Well someone has to get her out. Spira depends upon it," Crystal said with urgency in her voice.

Auron took off his jacket and threw it to the floor. He kicked off his boot and stood at the edge. "I'll find her," were his words before he dove head first into the cold waters below. 'She's alive… I know it. She's too stubborn to die…'

As he continued to swim, he heard a low whimper reverberate off the walls. He stopped moving and listening carefully. At first all he heard were the sounds of water dripping, but after some time he heard the whimpering again. "Brooke!" he yelled out as he rapidly started swimming towards the sound.

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'Oh, Great! Now I'm hearing things…'

"Brooke! Are you there?" the voice of Auron called out. I lifted my head slightly before I answered back, "Auron?"

"Brooke! Hold on!"

I dropped my head back into the water and let a smile cross my features. 'I'm not alone anymore…'

A few minutes passed before I heard the sound of splashing water grow nearer. "Thank Yevon. Brooke, are you ok?" I merely shook my head. I mean what kind of stupid question was that? Do I look ok! "Hold on to me," he instructed as he placed an arm around my waist.

I wrapped my good arm around his neck and held onto him as tightly as I could. I sighed heavily and my head dropped onto his shoulder. "You'll be ok, Brooke. We're getting out of here." He continued to swim as I closed my eyes, slipping into a state on unconsciousness.

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Auron's POV

'What the hell happened? She looks fifty times worse than she did when we parted.' I held onto her more tightly as I swam back to Baralai and Crystal. With much difficulty I finally got to them, and passed her off. Only as Baralai lifted her out of the water did I notice the huge abrasion on her back and hip.

I lifted myself out of the water, and walked over to her side, taking a knee besides her. Her face had grown extremely pale, her lips were blue and she looked almost half dead. Crystal and Baralai had already gone to work, casting curative magic on her. I watched as her wounds slowly closed.

I examined her arm, which appeared to have been almost dislocated from her shoulder. I glanced up at the two curiously; they were breathing heavily and leaning down on their knees. "That's all… I … can do…" Baralai sputtered out in between gasping for air. "She's in bad… shape."

Crystal nodded in agreement. "Best thing to do… is to find shelter… she needs rest."

I nodded slowly before looking back down at Brooke. With the brisk air hitting her already cold skin, Brooke shivered violently. I grabbed my coat wrapping it around her and lifted her into my arms. "Let's go then."

Inconspicuously, we made our way out of the temple's prison and out of Bevelle. Baralai led us to a small cottage. He informed us that this was once his residence, right outside of Bevelle's gates. He told us, we'd be safe here and we could stay as long as we needed, but to make sure when we left, no one saw us.

I walked into the house with Brooke in my arms. She was still shivering violently and it probably wasn't helpful that her clothes were still wet. Baralai walked over to a small fireplace that was in the living room. He started a small fire before he turned to me. "Put her over here. Her clothes will dry, and it'll warm her."

I nodded and brought her over towards the fire. I placed her down as close as I could without having to worry about her catching fire. I looked down at her face and it twitched slightly. I assumed she was dreaming about something.

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Brooke's POV

"Oh my Yevon…" I muttered as I placed a hand to my forehead. "Talk about pain…" I sat down on the ground, holding my head in my hands. The pain was overwhelming.

"I see you're doing positively lovely, Lady Brooke," I heard the snide remarks of Tyseuh.

I glared at him. "What the hell do you want?"

"Tsk, tsk…" He walked around me, holding his head in the air as he did so. "I'm only here to help you, my dear."

I looked at him skeptically. "Psh, yeah… right…"

He ran a hand through his hair before taking a knee before me. He placed his hand under my chin and lifted my gaze to him. "You don't believe me?"

I jerked my head away from him. Pain shot through my body, but I refused to flinch. I didn't want him to know I was in pain. "This whole thing is your fault…"

He gave me a look that said he was hurt. "You honestly think I wanted you to go through that? After my proposition?" I remain silent, avoiding eye contact with him. "You still don't believe me do you?"

I looked at the floor to my left, my jaw clenched shut as I said, "Why should I believe you?"

He put his hand under my chin and pulled my face back towards him. He looked into my eyes sadly before pushing some strands of hair out of my face. "Brooke, my dear… you're dying…"

888

A/N: Ohhhh no one saw that one coming. Cliff hanger oh man! –dodges rotten fruit thrown at head- Hey! Totally uncool! Yes, I realize that like three chapters in a row where I've left you with cliff hangers and I'm sorry, but oh well. It just means that you'll have to come back to figure out what happens! Whahaha! Oh and Put me on Author Alert, because I'll be coming out with a new story soon. Elemental War. I'll post a little preview, after the thank you. Oh and an ultra super thank you, To Andy for Betaing it for me! He allowed me to post tonight so now all together "Thank you, Andy!"

Thank You:

PhantomsAngel- GerrysBride: NOOTZ! I'm happy you like my story! –is really happy- Thanks again, Nootzie and you have to update soon too! NooTz N BeRry BFFL

labrat-seph: Hey! Yeah, well if Auron had been there to save her, thing wouldn't have been nearly as exciting as they were. –hides from Brooke who is royally pissed about these past few chapters- Yeah, I know… Seymour needs to die. And He will eventually whahahaha I mean.. –shifty eyes- uhm.. you heard nothing. Nope, you're thinking of Sonya, who had raven colored hair with Navy blue streaks lol.. close… Okies, well I'm off to work on Elemental War, since I have like fifty people breathing down my neck bout it! Lol toodles!

Alexxya's Secret: heh, you thought the last chapter was tough. Poor Brooke –mock cries- I'm sorry, my happiness muse ran away, and I'm left with the sadistic melancholy one –pets muse- She'll eventually find peace… but not for a while at least. Whahaha! Lol I'm cruel, I know.. and yeah… I know… another cliffhanger

Winter Sapphire: I know, it's wild I tell you. Senior year is a bitch, but actually I think this is more of a procrastination thing than anything else ya know? Like when I'm supposed to be doing AP Bio I'm like, you know I haven't worked on my fics in a long time, I should do that –goes to work on fics- lol, yeah Tyseuh cares for Brooke. As you can see… but the question is 'Is there something deeper than what I'm portraying to you?' –raises eyebrow- that's something to think bout… -grins- And yeah, Seymour needs to get killed… like now…

Jtiger: Thanks! I really appreciate new readers and reviewers! I'm glad you like the story so much! Uhm, Vincent should in the story… -tries to estimate what chapter it will be- uhm, it was going to be the next chapter, but I don't think I'll be able to fit it in, soo sometime in the next I'll give me some leeway, let's say next three chapters, look for him. Him, and his group should be making a reappearance.

No Way To Say: Well I'm glad you like it, and I hope you like this chapter as well. I know I put Brooke through a lot of shit. And there is even more to come in the next few chapters! –laughs evilly- okies, well Toodles!

BuBbly HaPpiNeSs: well hello! I'm glad you liked it, and I hope to see you review again! Last time you reviewed, you like disappeared from the reviewing Ok well Hope you like this chapter as well.

LoserKid05: Hola! I'm glad you liked it, and here's my update! Only took long enough right? Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

CeE CrOw: Whoa, col, next time can we try English? I know you're normally in a rush with like reviews and stuff… but… uhm… that was pretty bad… lol

pinK BuNni luVvv: Hola! Glad you liked the last few chapters and I hope you continue to like the next few chapters.

Reyavie: HEY! –waves back like a maniac- I'm so proud of you! You finished reading it! Yay! –gives you cool new sword to torment AN with- I'm glad you like Brooke, I tried to make her realistic. Like I didn't want her to be all like 'Look at me I'm perfect' I know she seems that way in the beginning with Tidus but then BAM! ALL GONE! –insert evil laughter here- Yes, I thought my plot was original too. I liked it, but then again, I'm writing it and if I didn't like it… there might be a slight problem –ignores the fact that I hated New Life- Yes Auron is human! –throws confetti- I'm just hoping he's not too ooc, because I'm 'fraid he may be. –shrugs- eh… And yes Seymour is an asshole –glares at him- Tyseuh is a main player in this story, though he doesn't seem like it… he is. And you'll find out later, why.

anbu713: RYAN! –glomps- I'm glad you liked it! Eh, everyone reads at their own pace, though id I'm not mistaken you're all caught up now, so I should be expecting a few more reviews –narrows eyes- correct? Lol –smiles innocently- Uhm, your day sounded interesting lol, I tripped over a pile of clothes and fell on my face today! –pumps fist in the air- Go me! Woot! Lol and well that's probably bout it, love you too, Toodles! –waves-

loveable-M : HEY! –waves excitedly- I'm glad you read this story. I'm happy you like it! I know, everyone says the s ame thing and no worries I'll kick Seymour's ass. So yay! –throws party- Ok, well thank you so much for reviewing all those chapters, it made my day! Ok, well thank you so much, and I hope you continue to read it!

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And I thought while I'm at it, I'll give you a little 'preview' of my next story. –grins- The story is called Elemental War, It's going to be in FFX, because I like FFX –grins- and the "summary" is. "What happens when you find out you're the God of water, and in order to save the world you have to find the other elemental gods and two angels only heard of in Legends?"

"Boy, you don't know who you are interfering with," she said as she turned her attention to him. She circled around him, her long black hair blowing in the wind. She gripped her blade in her hand. "Have you ever wondered what it's like to be burned from the inside out… to have your soul set ablaze?" She smirked to herself before she began to twirl her blade in an intricate pattern.

"You aren't listening to me, plea-"

"Tidus, get out of there!" Yuna called from across the rooftop.

He turned to face her, his blond hair blowing over his eyes. "Yuna, we need to do this. I'm not going to run! I have to know!"

"Well, question and answer time is over," the woman smirked again as she stopped the blade in a vertical position. The blade was pulsing with a dark aura, sending chills down Tidus' spine. "And now, it's time to die…" she smiled sweetly before she shouted out "HELL'S DAMNATION" and sending a huge wave of dark energy hurtling straight for Tidus.