Queen Luana: Another Final Fantasy X fic, wow, I'm on fire. It's just that I'm replaying the game and now all these ideas are getting inside my head about new fics and all… But you know what, I have a pretty good feeling about this one. Plus I've also noticed that my writing has improved extremely since I wrote my first fic. At least I think it has… Anyway, this is my first fic in which I narrate from the I-view (I don't know how you say that in English, in Dutch it's Ik-perspectief) with a male hero. Ugh, if my class reads this there'll be more annoying remarks. Well, enjoy and go easy on me when you review. Yes, if I say 'when' I also mean 'when'.


Chapter I

Kaie

"Come on, Kaie, you're going to lie there snoozing all day? We've got stuff to do."

With a well meant grump I sat up and rubbed my eyes. It was a very hot day and my face had already been burned by the vile sun. Not a single creamy cloud covered th clear blue sky. Above that we were running out of water and we still had a long way to go. But well, the mission was due for tomorrow, so we'd best hurry.

"Lazy ass," a female voice spoke to me and a foot thumped me in the guts.

"Aw! Knock it off, Asa," I yelped and jumped to my feet. A girl stood there, smiling satisfied. She was a fairly pretty girl. Her wavy dark blond locks were tied together in a ponytail, except for two little pigtails dangling before her face. She had green eyes and a pale skin, not very likely for someone born and raised in Kilika. But she still wore the right clothes. Dark brown top and brown shorts. Her boots completed the outfit perfectly. Her ears were pierced and white feathers hung from them. Her forearms were almost completely covered in colourful bracelets.

So except for her skin, she was a typical Kilika gal. Unlike me.

Although I was born in Bevelle and spent my childhood there, I didn't look like any of the monks living there. All I wore were some baige cargo pants, firm brown boots with lots of buckles and black wristlets. My chestnut brown locks peaked in numerous directions and my eyes matched them perfectly. I had a slight tan, since I had left Bevelle four years ago to join the Crusaders. Ever since then, I've been roaming around Spira, allowing the fierce sunrays to mark my skin.

But back to Asa now. You mustn't be decieved by her childish look. She's very combative and can be rather stubborn as well. When she's got her sights set on something, nothing can keep her from reaching her goal. Still, she was good company. She had a good sense of humour and when we were on the road together, we always had a good laugh.

I'll just get this over with: yes, I do fancy her. I've always fancied her. I met Asa a year ago, when she joined the Crusaders.She was only fifteen back then, three years younger than me. But ever since they put us in the same squad, I was facinated by her. Her way of looking at life, always so optimistic… You just couldn't be down around her, she'd always find a way to cheer you up. Whether it was by one of her great jokes, a weird face or just a kind remark, she always gave you a leg up. That's how I started liking her and ended up loving her.

I don't believe the feeling's likewise. In her eyes, I'm just a fellow Crusader, her companion. Yet I'd wish she was up to a little more than that.

"We have to keep moving, if we stop now and Sin shows up – kaboom!" she said and threw her arms in the air. I chuckled. "And this time, I'm riding Poko!" I sighed and nodded. Maybe I had a stubborn side, but it was smarter to give her what she wanted. She clapped her hands with joy and mounted our Chocobo. Behind her a giant carriage was tied to the Chocobo's sadle. The carriage shook wildly from one side to another and loud roaring emerged from it.

"Be quiet!" she snapped and kicked it. I raised my hand helpfully.

"Sleep," I spoke and soon the roaring stopped and turned into a rough snoring. "That oughta do." I found it odd that a sixteen year old girl could be so comfortable around that thing, while it gave me, a grown up man, the jitters. Maybe I was much of a coward… Nah. Then I'd be in Bevelle, praying. I was doing something brave. I was a Crusader. The thought of home stabbed me in the heart and with a sick feeling I mounted the carriage and Asa ordered Poko to walk. Rumbling, we travelled across the Mi'ihen Highroad.

"I don't believe this! I won't believe this!" my father cried, loudly. It gave me chills. At the other side of the room I saw my mother crying. I didn't know what for. It could be so many things at this time… "This is a betrayal to the teachings!"

"Father, we are only doing this for Spira's sake," I tried to convince him but he hardly listened.

"Is this what we've been praying for all those years?" he barked. "For you to become some – some – heathen?"

"I am not a heathen father," I objected and tried to explain in my calmest voice. "Sometimes the right way requires an unholy deed. Think about it. If we succeed, no summoners have to die to bring the Calm anymore. Sin will be gone without a death." My head shot sideways and my cheek glowed as if it had just been stung by a bee. My mother shrieked shortly before she continued her sobbing. My father withdrew his hand, his head now red with fury.

"I will not tolerate such heathen language in my own house," he hissed. "You go on! Get out! But if you step out that door, don't you dare ever coming back. I hope Yevon will punish you, you and all who disobey him." I nodded. He had made himself clear. I casted one final look at my mother, sobbing on the wooden floor of our house, then bowed my head in respect for my father. Yes, respect. It was not since he defended his point of view that I had lost my respect to him. He was my father and an honourable man. Period. Then I turned my back on my parents and walked out the door.

Ever since that day, two months ago, I hadn't spoken to them. I don't know what they're doing right now, whether they ever think of me… Well, I still thought of them. A lot. Maybe it was against the teachings, but it was them I was doing this for. All I wanted to do, was protect my family. Was that so bad? Asa never thought of her family. But how could she? Sin killed them when she was just a toddler. She was raised by her grandma ever since and her grandma… She had only warned her, told her it would be dangerous. She had merely worried about her grandchild's sake. I just wish my parents would.

"All Crusaders gatter round!" Asa chanted while the carriage bumped along the road. "We beat Sin into the ground! Something on your mind, Kaie?" I shook my head wearily.

"No, no not really."

"Your parents?"

"…Hmm."

"You poor thing," she said and her brows squeezed together in a sympathetic frown. "Don't worry. As soon as we beat Sin, they'll be proud to have a son like you. Just wait." Wait indeed. I smiled feebly.

"Thanks Asa." We passed the statue of Lord Mi'ihen.

"Ho, Poko!" Asa cried and Poko came to a halt. Asa leaped off and landed with a tud on the ground. "Let's pray." I jumped of as well and we both kneeled in front of the statue. "Lord Mi'ihen, please protect us and the other Crusaders as we battle to bring the calm." We sat there praying for another minute, then Asa jumped up. "Alrighty! Enough for now! Let's keep on going!"


Queen Luana: That's it for now. Please review! Pretty please? I like reviews…