Notes: Gah! This chapter was harder than I thought to write. What you see in the middle was inspired by a fic on RPG Gamer called "Your Pilgrimage Ends Here". Enjoy! These chapters are just getting long. Sheeesh.

Zetu's consolation wasn't much of one to Isaaru, but only because it was something that was as obvious as the sun at noon, which, by the way, it was. But, Isaaru supposed that the older man had to think of something to alleviate any worries. What was a huge consolation, however, were the whispers in the hallways and through open doors. It wasn't gossip about Baralai, that would come later. It was about Isaaru.

"I wish Isaaru could stay the Praetor. He's much better than Baralai."

"Isaaru has such a pull on people. Baralai never had that kind of effect, no matter how humble and polite he was."

"Why did Isaaru leave to begin with? Things were wonderful when he was around."

"Isaaru would make a wonderful Praetor". Isaaru heard this one ever since he first stepped up to take over the Praetor's duties and everytime he heard it, it sounded like the first time, and it was honey to him. Actually, it was more than honey. It made the most addictive drugs look like coffee, and Isaaru would practically float in the air everytime he heard it.

It's not like everything else didn't have that effect, they just made him cringe because of the comparison to Baralai. Oh, sure, he would have loved to see how the twenty year old would react to them, but preferably from afar, and yet close enough to be able to see his handsome face. As Isaaru sat at the dining table in his room, he realized that Baralai would appear impassive, while internally seething. Or maybe not. Isaaru just didn't know, but that was one of the myriad of reasons why he did want to see Baralai again. He smiled, looking over at his two younger brothers sparring on the large balcony. There were a few large ferns on the corners, but Pacce and Maroda were nowhere near them.

As Isaaru watched them, he thought of how Baralai would treat the two of them. He had no doubt that Baralai would be wary of Maroda. Despite the cute speech about being one ship, Isaaru knew damned well that Baralai would trust Maroda about as far as he could throw him. Being in the Youth League was more than enough reason for distrust. Isaaru recalled seeing other Youth Leaguers in Bevelle, but they were not close to Isaaru, so trust wasn't an issue there.

That left Pacce. In the youngest brother's case, it was nowhere near about trust. But, watching Pacce forced Isaaru to remember what happened to him and his brothers two years ago. He knew in his heart that few people were more loyal to Yevon than he was, but when he was asked, or make that ordered, to fight the Lady Yuna, he realized that in the eyes of certain Maesters, it was all a sham. The one Maester who clearly felt that way was Kinoc. Isaaru had often heard of how the short, pudgy bald man was so paranoid that even people planning his birthday part were held under suspicion. He didn't think much of it at all. That is, until Seymour threatened to have Isaaru's two brothers killed if he failed to defeat Yuna.

To this day, Isaaru grit his teeth just thinking about it. Yuna and her friends were right, and it ate him alive. But, oddly enough, he didn't blame Seymour for he was clearly insane. He didn't even blame Maester Mika, for he was an "unsent" anyway and had little to gain by harming either Isaaru or his brothers. The 'person' to blame was no one other than Maester Kinoc, who grinned like a man drunk on power, as he told him to "deal with the traitors". At the time, Isaaru had no idea just who these traitors might have been nor did he know what happened. He wasn't afraid to say so either. But, for Kinoc to ask a Summoner to go after them meant that they had to be important. Especially when his brothers were taken at gunpoint, and when he was told that, "should you fail, your brothers will be killed, and you soon after."

Isaaru remembered feeling so sick that he could have thrown up in front of everyone if it weren't for the sheer rage he felt while looking at smug Maester Kinoc's face. He didn't show it though. In fact, he showed no emotion, not even the underlying fear for his brothers' lives. Isaaru still remained impassive. He had told Kinoc that he was always loyal to Yevon, and that man shrugged it off as thought a lifetime of dedication was nothing. Kinoc simply mentioned that this act was "an incentive to defeat those traitors", and walked off with the guards, who took his brothers.

For awhile, Isaaru stood at the Temple entrance, not able to do much of anything but breathe. He thought of his brothers, of the angry look Maroda had, and of the confusion in little Pacce's face. Once he thought of Kinoc and how proud of himself he seemed to be, Isaaru felt so angry that he could have killed the Maester if he were able to. In fact, that was just his plan. Defeat Lady Yuna, and then go after that squat, fat, self-satisfied bastard. An accident is a good friend of many people, and this would be no different. It gave him the resolve to start heading for Vio Purifico.

Just inside, someone grabbed Isaaru's shoulder, causing him to spin around in shock. When he saw just who had touched him, his jaw could have fallen to the floor, for who stood in front of him had to have one of the most gorgeous people in all of Spira. His hair was as white as the fair weather clouds in the sky, starkly contrasting his smooth, tan skin. His face was just perfect. Soft, yet finely chiseled. His sharp eyes were a brownish gold and they sparkled in the sunlight as he sized up Isaaru. He could not have been a day older than eighteen. A baby, according to Isaaru. Judging from his elaborate green coat, white shirt held together by a blue plate and yellow rope belt, beige pantaloons with golden wraps around his calves, and dark brown boots, Isaaru knew that he was also of Yevon.

/A monk/. Isaaru figured, but also figured that the youth seemed too soft, not to mention too young, to be much of one.

"What is it?" He managed to ask as politely as he could.

"I am sorry," The young man replied, and Isaaru noted that the boy's voice was as soft as he looked.

Isaaru frowned, "For what?"

"For what has happened," The youth looked down, burying his fair face into his high yellow collar. "I-"

"You have done nothing." Isaaru looked into the dark hallway that led into the inner area of Vio Purifico. "I must go." He turned to walk away, but the boy grabbed his arm.

"Let me come with you," he whispered as gently as a breeze.

Isaaru turned, "Why?"

"I want to help you."

"Forgive me, but I don't need your help," Isaaru said, inwardly shocked that someone that didn't even know him was willing to come with him.

"You can't risk your brothers' lives," The boy pleaded, his golden eyes widening with worry.

/Why do you care/? Isaaru wanted to ask, but opted not to when he realized that the young man was offering out of compassion. Still, Isaaru didn't feel right in getting a stranger involved in this. "I'll be okay. I can defeat the traitors. I am certain."

Isaaru thought that the young monk would argue further, but he didn't. Instead, he bowed, "Forgive me for keeping you. Please be careful."

"You needn't worry," Isaaru simply replied, turning his back to go deeper into the dungeons. Whether or not the young man followed, Isaaru didn't know and honestly didn't care. The youth's image stayed with him though, and Isaaru doubted if he would ever forget it, or the sweet sound of his voice.

When he found out the traitor was Lady Yuna and three of her Guardians, including Auron, he didn't show any surprise, but inside, he could have sank through the floor. When she defeated him, he did. She approached him to comfort him, but he told her to stay away for he would have sooner hanged himself by his nostrils than accept comfort from a rival. When Auron approached him, Isaaru was certain that his life was over. He had failed, and now he and his brothers would die because of him(and that bastard Kinoc). Isaaru said nothing as he looked up at the famed Guardian, wishing that he had accepted the tan skinned boy's assistance.

"Your Pilgramige is over," Auron said simply, as if it were nothing. He bore no malice, but that didn't mean anything to the Summoner, who knelt from exhaustion. Isaaru no way to fight back, and they both knew it. Auron lifted his sword, and Isaaru bowed his head.

"Forgive me, my brothers," Isaaru gasped under his breath, closing his eyes and waiting for the deathblow.

"Please don't!"

Isaaru jerked up and Auron turned. It was the young monk, with his soft voice, yet this time it was laced with authority. Shadows covered one half of his lithe body, but the gun he pointed at Auron was plainly seen, and so were his dark eyes, which reflected the red torchlight nearby. Auron showed no emotion, but Isaaru helplessly showed relief.

"Do you intend to shoot me?" Auron asked, sounding so indifferent that Isaaru feared that more than the large sword.

"If I must," the young monk answered, taking a silent step forward. Isaaru heard a click that came from the weapon, "If you kill him, I will kill you."

Auron chuckled, "I don't blame you, but you can't kill what is already dead."

Both the youth and Isaaru gasped, "What?" /I can send him! If only I had the strength/. The monk seemed to read this thoughts because he quickly put his gun away, and walked briskly towards Auron, his hands making the gestures of a Sending. But, before anything could happen, the Legendary Guardian ran off to catch up with Yuna and the rest of her Guardians.

Isaaru didn't know what to think at this point. He honestly believed that he was going to die right there, but was glad that he didn't. The young man knelt in front of him with concern in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Still very tired, Isaaru helplessly leaned into the younger man, breathing in the spicy leather scent, "You cannot be a Summoner, and yet I know that you weren't bluffing." Isaaru looked into the youth's eyes. "You were trained to be a Summoner, yes?" He could almost see himself in the boy's light mahogany eyes.

"Yes," the boy replied. "I'm sorry, but we don't have time." He slowly helped Isaaru to his feet. "I know where your brothers are."

"Are they safe?" Isaaru asked, eager to get to them, but he almost fell over, and had to lean on the other man. He felt ashamed to rely on someone younger than himself, who he didn't even know, and wasn't a brother.

"Yes, for now at least. We have to hurry."

Isaaru nodded in agreement, trying to pull away, but the young monk wouldn't let him. Knowing that the only other option was to stagger and possibly fall yet again, Isaaru accepted the boy's arm around his shoulder as they traversed through the dark hallways of Vio Purifico, mindful of any fiends.

"Oh, forgive me," the youth suddenly said, his camomile scented breath reaching Isaaru's nose, "I didn't catch your name."

"I am Isaaru," he responded, his blue eyes scanning the light blue Yevon symbols glistening on the walls. Upon saying his own name, he felt his strength return and he slowly pulled away to walk on his own.

"Isaaru..." When the young man repeated that name, it sounded like a gentle caress, and it made Isaaru shiver.

"What is your name?"

The youth smiled a polite, demure smile, "Baralai."

"Baralai..." Isaaru breathed. /A name as beautiful as you/. "So why did you save me?"

Baralai's smile suddenly faded, and Isaaru found himself missing it, "I saw Maester Kinoc threaten you and your brothers. I couldn't stand by and do nothing."

"I see," Isaaru lowered his head, only to look up when Baralai touched his arm. He noticed that the ends of the coat sleeves were yellow and blue with crimson mandalas upon them.

"If it's any consolation, Kinoc will be killed today."

Isaaru's eyes widened, "Really? How?"

Baralai smiled again, "Seymour will kill him." His eyes glinted in the torchlight, and the smile turned a little devious. "It's to both of our advantages."

"Is that so?" Isaaru asked, flinching when Baralai narrowed his eyes.

"You're not the only one who was hurt by Master Kinoc."

Before Isaaru could ask what happened, a loud noise behind them shocked him, and he fell to his knees. Baralai spun around to face the winged fiend, deftly pulling out his gun and shooting before it could even strike. When Isaaru managed to face the monster, Baralai quickly moved forward and waved his arm. The monster shrank back as a black globe enveloped it. Isaaru had a spell in mind, but quickly realized that he didn't have to do anything because Baralai shot at the fiend once more and it dissappated into pyreflies.

When the younger man helped him up, Isaaru wanted to die of embarrassment. A twenty-five year old Summoner who travelled throughout Spira for many years(and that included the Vias), surprised by a fiend. If it weren't for young Baralai, Isaaru was certain that he would have been killed or badly wounded. Twice, Baralai saved his life.

"I don't know what to say," was all Isaaru managed before he felt like vanishing.

"Well, a simple 'thank you' would suffice," Baralai replied in a joking manner. "Don't worry about it. Come along." Baralai moved ahead, a black banner decorated with white symbols, floating up behind him. Isaaru noticed that this was attached to the jacket, and that similar lines were on the bottom, but they weren't banners.

"Why am I even noticing this?" Isaaru grumbled, catching up when Baralai looked over his shoulder.

"Did you say something?" The younger man asked.

"Uhm...no."

"You should be more aware of your surroundings," Baralai chided, as they went down a path that led to the cells. "That way, you won't often be surprised, if at all.

The way the young monk said that just burnt Isaaru up. It was bad enough that he got to hear it from his own brothers, but to hear it from someone he didn't know? No way. But, the look in Baralai's eyes held him back, and instead just got defensive.

"I usually am, but I just got through Summoning three Aeons."

"You had more, didn't you?" Baralai inquired.

/How did he know that?/ Isaaru shook his head, "Yes, I did have more, and I was ready to use them all too." He grit his teeth. "Yuna is considered a better Summoner than I am, but I know that if I did summon all of the Aeons I had, her group would have been defeated."

"You said you were certain you'd win."

"I was certain, and I was certain that after her defeat, I would take care of Kinoc myself. But, no. I just couldn't do it. My brothers' lives were at risk, and I could not do what I was supposed to do." Isaaru felt like spitting on the ground.

"I see," was Baralai's gentle reply.

"You have no judgement of me," Isaaru blinked, just stunned that Baralai didn't chide him for not giving his all.

"No, I don't," Baralai shook his head. "You knew she was innocent."

Isaaru sighed, "Yes, I knew..."

Before Baralai could say something else, they found their way to the cells, and nearly all of them were empty. They usually were since most of those put in Vio Purifico ended up dying pretty quickly. But, Isaaru slowly sighed when he saw Pacce jumping up and down and Maroda calling for him.

"So how do we get out of here?" Maroda demanded, looking around. When his eyes fell on Baralai, he frowned. "Who is he?"

"Someone who saved me," Isaaru simply said, not having to do anything as Baralai fished out keys from his coat. Once the younger brothers were out of the cell, Pacce ran to up Baralai and grabbed his coat.

"Thank you, mister," He said, looking up at Baralai, his eyes bright and wide. Isaaru couldn't help but smile, and neither could Baralai.

Pacce and Maroda ran on ahead to clear out fiends. They both took pleasure in wiping out even the toughest of fiends. Not even Baralai was able to get involved, because by the time he tried to, the fiends were already defeated.

"You have great Guardians!" Baralai remarked, his eyes bright. "Little Pacce especially has a lot of potential."

"Of course," Isaaru grinned with pride as he watched Pacce jump around in a victory dance. His smile faded, however, when he suddenly remembered just how close his brothers were to losing their lives to Maester Kinoc.

Baralai noticed the sudden change immedietly, "What's wrong?"

"I'm just wondering why Kinoc threatened the lives of my brothers. I must have been the only Summoner in history treated that way," Isaaru walked beside Baralai with his head lowered, trying to figure out why Kinoc would dare threaten a Summoner and his family. "I have always been loyal to Yevon. Sometimes blindly so." Isaaru sighed, feeling a dawning within him. "I was a threat, wasn't I? A threat to Kinoc..." Baralai held Isaaru's arms, showing nothing but understanding. "Why would I be a threat? I would have died saving Spira from Sin..." He looked ahead at his brothers who had just defeated another fiend. He slowed down. "Wait..."

"What is it?"

Isaaru looked at Baralai, "He knew I would fail. I mean, in my Pilgramige. I would return alive." Isaaru shook his head. "But, I would never in a million years have given up!"

"He saw you as a threat. Simple as that." Baralai curtly replied, speeding up his pace. Isaaru did his best to keep up.

"A threat? I, a Summoner, a threat? Were I not a Summoner, I would understand, but my success would be certain death in Zanarkand!"

"Look, Maester Kinoc was a paranoid little man. You could have been so loyal as to do anything for Yevon, and it wasn't enough for Maester Kinoc."

"I noticed," Isaaru bitterly replied. "But, to threaten my life and my brother's lives..."

"He'd do anything for a grab of power. Anything. That's why he was killed."

"I would have been killed anyway, wouldn't I?" Isaaru asked, wanting to just drink some tea and go to sleep. Baralai nodded, his eyes pained. "Yes. Even if I were to defeat Yuna, Kinoc would have had me killed anyway. But...if he considered me a threat." Isaaru slowed to a stop, his face shadowed. "He'd be right to do so, because I would have killed him myself. It was my intent to do so."

"Shhh...don't dwell on it." Baralai grabbed Isaaru's arm and almost dragged him along. He had a look of awe on his face, and the Summoner couldn't understand why. "Believe me, I don't blame you, but he could predict the actions those who can and do fight back. He always lived in fear of shadows."

"I should have figured that," Isaaru shrugged, noticing that his two brothers had beaten yet another fiend. "So tell me, Baralai, what did Maester Kinoc do to you? I understand if you don't want to say."

Baralai looked at Isaaru and politely smiled, "Thank you."

Isaaru smiled back, "I see."

He smiled now as he remembered how the four of them got along so quickly and so well. But, Isaaru imagined that when someone saved you and your whole family, you're not going to be very rude, unless you were just awful. However, it wasn't as if any of them had to prostrate themselves at Baralai's feet, even though he did have some nice boots. When Isaaru held Yevon together before the defeat of Sin, it seemed like everything was just perfect, even when he spotted Baralai with Gippal while Yuna's group fought Sin. It all started to fall apart between the four when Trema arrived. But, Isaaru didn't want to think of any of that right now. Instead, he looked at his youngest brother.

"Pacce adored you, Baralai," Isaaru whispered to no one. "He still does." He recalled how he almost had to drag Pacce feet first out of Bevelle, while Baralai looked on with a forlorn look on his smooth face. Isaaru pressed his lips together as he remembered how Pacce kept asking why and all Isaaru could say was that he was too young to understand why. Maroda had already left as he preferred the ideals of the Youth League's over New Yevon's. That irritated Baralai, but he learned to live with it.

So, why then, didn't he learn to live with the fact that Isaaru would not be a husband to him? Isaaru couldn't help but think that if he were to leave New Yevon of his own accord, Baralai would have chased him down and it made him shudder. But, now? Now, Baralai would be here in about thirty minutes. That he learned from an acolyte who looked too excited for her own good because Isaaru was about ready to smack her. He didn't blame her for being excited about the Praetor's return, but he didn't want to be reminded, not like that.

Maroda walked in and put a hand on Isaaru's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"Baralai will be here soon," Isaaru lowered his head, feeling his stomach turn.

"Then we'll wait for him, and greet him."

"Why?" Isaaru asked.

"Have you forgotten? If you don't face him now, you will later. His room is right at the end of the hallway, maybe ten steps away from ours. You can bet that if you don't go to him, he'll come to you."

"Oh no..." Isaaru groaned, looking up at Maroda, "I actually forgot about that."

"So, come on then," Maroda walked over to the door.

"What's going on?" Pacce asked, his eyes rounded from curiosity natural in twelve year olds.

Isaaru stood up, his face grim. "Pacce, we're leaving."

"Where are we going?"

"To meet Baralai."