Hey guys we're back! Sorry for the long delay, we've been pretty busy with stuff IRL. Like getting married!

If you haven't noticed, we will be doing flashbacks for Kodie on every even numbered chapters. Zeid, Khuma, Semih Lhafihna and any Beastmen are Properties of SquareEnix. All original character names are properties of Healerkou and Serge

Heaven's Tower, Windurst

Khuma and Ren were in an empty room, waiting to find out just what was going on. They had warped right away from Giddeus, only to have been met by some Mercenaries to be taken to the Heaven's Tower. Ren sat down at a chair leaning against his staff while Khuma paced around rather impatiently.

"Where in the world is he? I hope he's not in any trouble," Khuma said as she looked over to Ren, rather worried.

"Relax you know this is Kodie. Besides you also know he's better at doing stuff on his own. Ever since that…"

"Don't say any more…you know how I feel about what happened then…" Khuma said as she interrupted Ren.

Before anything else could have happened the door opened and in came Kodie and Arlette. Once they were in the room it was quickly closed, but that didn't bother Khuma, the blonde haired Mithra ran to the Dark Knight and threw her arms around him.

"Kodie! You're all right!" She said as she pulled away a bit, normally this wasn't the way she acted, not even with Ren. But Kodie was like her brother. She then turned and noticed the white haired Mithra who was wearing tattered old versions of traditional Mithran clothing, and who was looking rather disgruntled. "Who's this?"

"Oh, her? This is Arlette." Kodie said as he stepped back a bit so Khuma could get a better look at her. "As of right now she's under my custody."

Arlette didn't say anything. She stood there stewing at what was going on, her face turned away from everyone. At that moment, she would have rather been back at Giddeus at the mercy of a dragon then to be bound to a Hume. Khuma just stared at her for a few moments and a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Oh so this is the Mithra who got caught at Naccum's?" Khuma said with a chuckle. "Some thief you are, Kodie and I use to grab stuff there when we were only kids."

Suddenly Arlette darted her eyes right at the other Mithra. A growl escaped her lips; she didn't appreciate the comment about her thievery skills. Arlette had always prided herself at being good at what she did; today was the first time she had been caught in ten years.

"Why don't you just shut up, before I show you what I can do?" Arlette threatened in a low voice.

"Whoa, whoa, down you two." Ren said as he got between the two Mithras, holding his arms out like a referee. He then turned to Arlette and offered her a smile. "Sorry about my rude wife. We haven't introduced ourselves…I'm Ren and this feisty little Mithra over here is Khuma. We're friends of Kodie's."

"I don't care," Arlette said as she turned away from Ren with her nose in the air. "And since you're friends with this Hume scum, you're enemies of mine as well."

"Ooookay someone's got some real issues there," Ren replied as he just shrugged and sat back down. Khuma following him and sat down next to the Elvaan.

Kodie walked over to Arlette, grabbing her by the arm so she would face him. "You know if it wasn't for those two, you'd be dinner for that dragon. So I suggest you act a little more grateful to them."

"I didn't ask for their help! Or even yours!" Arlette pulled her arm away from Kodie. "As soon as we're out of Windurst, I'm out of here!"

Before Kodie could even respond the door opened once again and Semih entered. She looked over to the four and nodded to them. "I just gave your rrrrrrrreport to the Star Sybil." She then tossed a pouch over to Kodie who quickly caught it. Arlette heard the jingling of change inside the pouch, obviously it was gil. Gil that she would need.

"But now I ask you for anotherrrr mission. We suspect that the same situation is going on in both Bastok and San'd Oria areas. I want all four of you to head overrrr to those countries and warn their leaders. Since this will be a diplomatic mission, you all will be wearrrrring Federation Aketons."

"Wait? Why do you need us go there, why don't you send messages out with the Moogles? They would get there quickly?" Ren said as he looked confused.

Semih simply shook her head. "You know well that both Bastok and San'd Oria's leaders would not take the letter seriously. We also suspect that the Beastmen would make theirrrr attack during the Summerrrr Fest next week. So you would need to split into two grrrroups and head to both countries as soon as possible….."

"Wait a minute!" Arlette suddenly interrupted. "You said the four of us, right? Last I checked, I don't want anything to do with these people. After they leave Windurst, I'm gone! I should also get some gil for the troubles these three have caused me."

"Right, saving your life was such trouble…maybe I should make you pay for the Warp Scrolls and arrows you made us use." Kodie said as he glared right at Arlette. But then he suddenly shrugged. "Then again, that works perfectly for me, because you would just get in my way and slow me down…"

"Enough, you two!" Semih yelled. "It's your choice Arlette, you are right. I can't force you to go with them on the mission when they leave. However I am offering another ten thousand gil to finish this job."

Suddenly Arlette's eyes lit up, and a smirk appeared on her face. She would get enough gil to go to Jeuno like she wanted, and just to do a diplomatic mission? How could she refuse? Besides Arlette also knew that the Aketon's were of high value in the black market, so she could get top gil for it once she got her pay. "All right fine…I'm in, but once I get my gil. I'm done with these losers."

Port Windurst, Two Hours Later

The large airship had docked and people had begun to load into the large vehicle. Kodie, Arlette, Khuma and Ren stood at the departure door. It was from there that Khuma and Ren would go to San'd Oria while Kodie and Arlette would go to Bastok.

"Are you sure about this?" Khuma asked Kodie looking worried at what his plans were. "You should go in the Airship with us, not go there by foot."

Kodie just shook his head. "You know how people are when they see a large group with Aketons on in the middle of Jeuno. Suzu will get us there with no problem. She's one reliable Chocobo."

"Can you trust…well you know who? Your happy little friend?" Ren said as he pointed to Arlette who was a distance away from the group.

Kodie nodded. "She won't do anything until this mission is done. Besides, she tries anything, I know how to take her down. Now get going you two. I'll meet you all back here in a week."

Both Ren and Khuma waved as they made their way towards the Airship. Meanwhile Kodie made his way towards Arlette as they watched the Airship begin to fly off towards the horizon. Both were now in their Green Aketons that had the logo of Windurst on their shoulders. Kodie also had a pair of black slacks, steel boots, gloves, and his Scythe strapped to his back. Arlette only wore a subligar, Mithran style fingerless gloves and gaiters wrapped around her feet.

Once the ship was out of sight, Kodie turned to Arlette and pulled out a knife, which he then offered to her. "I know the Yagudos took your weapon. This knife helped me out a lot when I was thieving. It'll do the job for you too, take good care of it."

Arlette looked at the knife, it was well crafted and maintained, far better quality than what her knife was. Though the fact that she was given a handout from a Hume had turned her stomach, she did need a weapon. The Mithra quickly snatched the knife away and slipped it onto a holster that was strapped to her thigh. "I'm not giving this knife back; consider it payment for ruining my day."

Kodie just let out a sigh and shook his head, this Mithra had a serious problem. But then again she was just a loner, just like he was. This was why he just turned around and began to make his towards the Chocobo stables, Kodie wanted this mission done right away so he could be rid of the little nuisance.

Arlette followed behind him, but at a cautious distance. She knew that Kodie would not hurt her, in fact in just one day he had saved her four times. But still thanks to what had happened to her long ago, she still wanted to be cautious with her Hume savior. Arlette just stayed quiet as they reached the Chocobo Stables.

Once they entered the stables, Kodie nodded to the stable handlers as he made his way over to his Chocobo named Suzu. The Chocobo obviously knew who he was and let out a happy "WARK" as Kodie approached. "Hey buddy…they taking good care of you?" He said as he petted the animal's head.

Suzu suddenly turned her head over to Arlette who was standing close by. Suzu once again let out a "WARK" and approached Arlette. Kodie stood there and watched as Arlette suddenly let out a smile to the Chocobo and began petting it as well. Suzu once again let out another "WARK" enjoying the attention Arlette was giving her. "What's its name?" Arlette asked as she continued petting Suzu.

"Her name is Suzu." Kodie would reply as he approached the two and patted Suzu lightly on her back. "I found her injured and was almost the prey of a Malboro. I took care of her until she got better, ever since we've stuck together. One of the most reliable Chocobos I've ever seen. I named her Suzu after Suzaku."

Arlette stared at the Chocobo right into the eyes as and then pulled her hand away from Suzu and faced Kodie with a smirk. "You know for a Dark Knight you sure do like to play hero a lot. You should stop trying to save others, it'll wind up costing you."

"I've all ready learned that lesson." Kodie said as he began to mount Suzu's back. "Let's go."

Arlette did not say anything; she just simply hopped up onto Suzu as well, right behind Kodie. She was hesitant at first but then she placed her hands on Kodie's hip. At that time Kodie lightly jerked the reigns of the Chocobo and Suzu quickly darted out of the stables and into Sarutabaruta.

Tahrongi Canyon

It had taken about two hours to go through Sarutabaruta and then into the canyon areas of Tahrongi. The sun was now beginning to set as Kodie and Arlette made their way through the canyons on Suzu. They would be arriving at Mhaura in a few hours and then take the ferry boat to Selbina. Not much was said between the two during their trip.

Arlette let out a small yawn as she began to wrap her arms all the way around Kodie's waist, and lean over Kodie to rest her head on his back. She let out a little smile on her lips as she felt his muscular stomach, he had a firm and strong body. Arlette closed her eyes as she kept that girlish smile on her, it had been so long since she felt so content, so safe, and it was thanks to Kodie.

Suddenly the Chocobo jumped a ledge, and landed hard on the ground. It did nothing to hurt the Chocobo's strong legs but it caught Arlette by surprise as she quickly sat back up pulling her arms away only to be holding his sides again. She cursed herself for thinking such things for a Hume, especially one that was cocky like him. But at least he had what it took to back it up.

Mhaura

They finally reached the small port town of Mhaura, where the ferry was docked. Kodie made his way with Suzu towards the ferry boat where he led her to the small stable area to keep her during the ride. "I'll be around, you don't cause any trouble, ok?" The Chocobo just replied with a "WARK".

The boat slowly began to leave the docks as night fell. It would reach its destination in the afternoon on the next day. Thought it was nighttime, Arlette stood on the deck of the boat, looking out into the darkness. The sky and the water merged together as one, and she suddenly felt very small and lonely. The Mithra shivered as she felt a cold sea breeze blow by, but suddenly she felt a blanket wrap around her. Arlette was startled at first and quickly turned around to see that Kodie was the one who placed the blanket on her. "You looked pretty cold, I'm going to rest, we're in the second room on the right and you can have the top bunk. I'll see you later."

Before she could give him one of her harsh responses, Kodie made his way below deck leaving Arlette in the blanket. She turned back to look up at the starry night sky as she tried to gather her thoughts about the events that happened that day. Early that morning she was just a lowly thief, stealing bread. Now she was on a mission of great importance to Windurst. How things can quickly change. Arlette just let out a sigh and made her way to the lower decks.

Morning came, and during that time Kodie was sound asleep, lying on his left side in the bottom bunk while Arlette was sleeping on her stomach on the top bunk. They both needed rest after the events of the previous day. But even more events were to come.

"LOOK OUT!" Someone from the top deck screamed and suddenly a loud crash could be heard.

That quickly woke both Kodie and Arlette. The Mithra jumped off the top bunk and looked over to Kodie rather worried. "What the heck was that!"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," Kodie said as he grabbed his scythe and left the room. He listened for more screams as he made his way up the stairs to get to the top deck, with Arlette following close holding her knife.

Once they made it to the top, Kodie stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in shock at what was on the boat. A large creature was hovering over the boat that looked as if it were a cross between a Manta Ray and an Octopus. It was smashing parts of the boat as well as attacking anyone that was near it, people were screaming, panicking, while others attempted to fight it, to no avail.

Arlette stared at the creature. She had never seen anything like it before. She began to shake a little in fear, though she tried her best not to show it in front of Kodie. She couldn't show her fear, not now. "Wh…what the heck is that!"

Kodie looked ahead as he gripped tightly onto his scythe. "A Sea Horror…"