DISCLAIMER: I do not own SQUARE, SQUARESOFT, SQUARE ENIX or the characters, places or ideas from their games. They own me.
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Braska nodded at a passerby who quickly walked away, not wanting to be seen with the ex-Priest. Auron frowned before continuing his conversation with the soon-to-be summoner.

When he had first arrived in Bevelle, he was pleasantly surprised at Lord Braska. He seemed so down to earth, so real. And so understanding. Auron found himself filled with a deep respect for the aspiring summoner and unwittingly had spoken of why he left the Warrior Monks. There had been no condemnation in Braska's good-natured smile. Instinctively Auron knew he could trust this man as sure as he knew he would be willing to die guarding him.

It would be a while yet before Braska would be ready to leave Bevelle for his journey but in the meantime Auron would be there by his side, keeping watch over him.

They were making their way to the prison compound where a man was being held. Auron couldn't understand Braska's fascination with the story of how the man was found and what he claimed to be. Respectfully he held his tongue and resolved to just watch and wait and naturally act if the man posed a threat.

"Hold your tongue, knave!" They had barely entered the jail and already Auron had had enough. Still, Braska seemed set on bringing this drunkard along. Auron shrugged off his annoyance and told himself that he could handle this. In fact, he could. Insouciance was easily dealt with and he knew he could deal with anything except for…well, except for what Kinoc was. Beside, he had said his piece and hadn't swayed the Summoner, might as well accept the fact that this man was to be their comrade.

"We will leave in a week and Jecht – in the meantime you can stay with me." The slender man turned to his rust-eyed guardian, "Auron, will you grace us with your presence for dinner tonight?" He said it with a smile, joking while knowing the answer that was coming.

"No my lord, I must see my landlord this evening." Respectful but unwavering. Braska couldn't see any reason why Auron was against visiting his small abode but he had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with little Yuna. He didn't know if he was brave enough to ask the stoic man, Auron always seemed so withdrawn, so on edge all the time. Was it perhaps because of something he said when speaking of his daughter? Perhaps he should ask Auron sometime when they had some privacy.

"Awesome, I'm starved!" As usual Jecht wasted no time in declaring what was on his mind. Braska laughed and shook his head at the man's brashness. Strangely he felt no concern about bringing his new guardian to see his precious daughter, he seemed to instinctively comprehend that Jecht posed no threat to her.

Indeed, he was right. A few hours later he reclined while watching the larger man playing with Yuna – and boasting about his Blitzball skills.

"The Sublimely Magnificent Jecht Shot Mark III?"

"That's right! And no one can do it but me!" This last was said with a triumphant gesture that made the seven-year-old laugh.

Jecht laughed along with her but Braska saw something in the scarred man's eyes; A glimmer of unspeakable pain that he tried to keep hidden. Something was slowly killing this man from the inside, and it was something that seemed to awaken at the things Yuna did.

While he was contemplating this, she jumped up into his lap and wrapped her small arms around him, giving him another of her tight hugs. He held her tightly, not wanting to let go. Somehow Yuna had realized that he was going to leave and never come back. It was her way of saying goodbye, the constant shows of affection, the way she always made it a point to tell him that she loved him at least once a day. She was so young but already so mature, so serious. And Braska's heart ached when he thought about leaving her.

"I love you, my little Yuna."

He glanced up to see Jecht standing with a strange look on his face. The other man caught his perusing glance and quickly looked away, but not before the summoner had seen the glint of tears in his eyes.

"I…think I'll turn in for the night."

Braska nodded, wanting to do what he could to help the man but respectfully keeping his distance. Yuna turned in his lap to take the ex-stranger in with her two-toned eyes.

"Good night mister Jecht!"

Once again the sphere came to life, emitting a soft glow to show the faded scenery of the camp at Mushroom Rock. Lunch hour was finally over. Chella hurriedly wiped up the last long table in the hall and glanced at the suns position outside. If she hurried, she could get maybe two hours of combat practice in. With that thought in her mind, she rushed into the kitchen and dumped the remaining plates and mugs into the sink, much to the chagrin of Bran, the cook. He listened to her apology trailing out the door as she rushed to her quarters. Shaking his head, he poured the water into the sink. What would a waitress need combat skills for?

Granted, she was not a usual waitress, in fact she was the only one the Warrior Monks had seen in hundreds of years. In truth, no women who weren't themselves monks served Yevon with the elite Warrior Monks. She was the mysterious exception, and Bran was actually glad to have the help. He was also no Monk but merely a cook hired to serve them, and had done so for the past five years.

Slowing down to a trot as she neared the training arena, Chella made a beeline to her own private training room. Actually it was the store room but there was always enough space for her to swing her sword, more importantly it did not disturb the Monks going through their rigorous practices. She suspected a few of the warriors kept the room cleared just for her and she was very grateful for the consideration. She gave the side door a slight tap and it obediently swung open to reveal the dim, corridor-like room meant for storage of weapons and training gear.

Limbering up, she started with a series of lunges and feints. If only she had someone to practice with, she might actually be able to better her skills. She shrugged off the thought, after all, she was just the baby found on the proverbial doorstep. She was more than content to do the odd job for the Monks and she was very appreciative of the lodging given and skills imparted to her. She understood that she wasn't permitted to get in the way.

Her two hours were almost up so she wiped the sweat from her face and arms. That was a good workout. She exited the arena headed towards the women's showers when she heard his voice just behind her.

"Auron" she whispered his name, delighting in the way it felt to say it. Without turning around she walked on. He couldn't..and shouldn't ever be attracted to her, he was destined for much greater things. She was a practical person and she understood her limitations, she didn't want to ruin his life by even hinting that she recognized him.

When she was safely behind the walls of the shower shack, she snuck a peak out the window. Sure enough he was still there, leaning against a fence post beside the arena, passing the time before his sessions began again. He was talking to his best friend - Kinoc, probably about a sparring they just completed. She marveled at the way the thin sheen of perspiration outlined his bare muscles and made the two stray strands of raven-black hair, which never stayed within his ponytail, caress his face.

She shook herself from her reverie and showered. She wanted to sit in on the teachings today before her dinner duty.

Just as she stepped out of the small building, she saw a frantic monk running towards her.

"Please, come. We may need your healing skills."

She nodded and ran after the rapidly retreating woman, towel and exercise clothes forgotten in her haste. The Monks had also imparted very useful healing knowledge to her and it was a passion of hers to constantly experiment with new combinations of healing plants and animals. She would miss the temple guru's speech this night.

Hours later, after the moon had risen and the last star started shining through Chella emerged from the medical tent frustrated. The invalid trainee suffered from the bite of a venomous reptile - serpent, she was sure. But she didn't have the means or knowledge to completely purge the poison from his veins. He would live but his recovery would take months, maybe years.

Agitated, she walked a few steps and then lashed out with her foot. She glanced down at the innocent-looking fence post; the same one Auron had leaned against that afternoon. Why did her heart have to skip a beat every time she thought of him? She looked up, but the sounds that she heard fused into a sharp whine as the sphere again stopped playing, the remaining memories still waiting dormant for their chance to emerge.