((A/N: Yes, another short chapter... I fell asleep after writing it. I promise, Chapter 16 will be longer than this one. Well, as usual. Read, Review, Enjoy! Oh, and before I forget! Thank you very much to those of you who've reviewed so far. XD It's REALLY appreciated. And now onto the chapter! ))

Chapter Fifteen

Lukewarm

Reaching the forest, Ren almost ran straight into a tall Guado man. Backing up quickly, she said, "Sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"It matters not," he said, a weak smile upon his Guado face.

Ren's brow furrowed and she went around him, venturing in the direction of Bevelle and the Calm Lands. Entering the crossroad, a female Guado rushed up to her. "Ren," she said, "Ren!"

Stopping in her tracks, she felt completely annoyed at how quickly the news had spread about her change in name. Turning she looked to the woman and calmly said, "Yes?" though the annoyance shone clearly in her eyes.

"We were told to keep an eye out for you," the woman said. "Tromell wishes to speak with you."

Sighing, Ren muttered, "Let me guess, it can't wait?"

"I'm sure it could, but why not do it while you're here?" she said and smiled pleasantly.

"Fine fine," Ren grumbled and turned around, following the woman across the shimmering path and to the lake where Tromell stood, eyes on the treetops, thinking. Ren dropped the reins of the two birds and cautiously approached the green-haired Guado.

Eyes lowering to her, he said cheerfully, "Ren."

Taking a deep breath, she dragged her hand down her face in an exasperated gesture. "That's starting to get annoying," she muttered and took a calming breath. "You wished to see me?" she asked.

"Have you been to the Farplane?" he inquired.

Blinking a few times, as if she hadn't realized what he'd said, she took a moment to collect her thoughts and replied, "N-no. Should I?"

"Ren, you need closure. And I feel that it can be found on the Farplane, as it has been found by many," he told her.

Eyes narrowing, Ren said, "No offense, but what do you know?"

"I attended your wedding, with Maester Seymour. I remember it quite clearly in fact. And with what happened, his death during your pilgrimage, I would think you would be seeking closure."

Remembering a time when she, Eiolis, Chalta, Kalvaras, Nooj, and Naji sat by the fire laughing caused her heart to hurt again. Slowly, she moved her hand over her heart, as if it would ease the pain. "I'm not seeking closure," she said, eyes raising to his. "I don't need closure. I'm moving on."

"So you say," Tromell said and bowed his head. "Have a safe journey, Lady Naoska," he said and turned around, sliding his eyes back to the treetops.

Remaining there in silence for a moment, unsure of what had just happened, Ren slowly turned and retrieved her chocobos, taking the shimmering path, and heading toward the Calm Lands. The Guado's words pounded in her head. Tears brimmed her eyes but she took a breath and swallowed them. Another breath, and she felt numb again. Passing the Bevelle guards, they waved to her and she barely waved back; a slight lift of her hand was all.

"Lady Naoska?" one of the guards said curiously and it actually brought a slight smile to her face. She paused and turned to them. "Are you okay?" he asked and she shook her head.

"If you were me," she asked, "would you be okay?"

"Honestly?" he asked and the guard who stood across from him appeared curious. Ren nodded and the guard said, "I would have breasts, Lady Naoska. I think I would be happy."

Right brow raised in confusion, the ex-summoner just bust out laughing. The guards smiled, and the other asked, "What are you up to, Lady Naoska?"

"Wandering," she said, smiling. They nodded and she asked, "How's the praetor?"

"Working," the first guard said with a shrug. "Haven't seen him lately."

"I think he's stressed," said the other guard. "Or if he isn't, he is now."

Ren shook her head. She spoke to them for a few more minutes and then waved as she left. Entering the Calm Lands, she got onto Aucifer's back and rode across the grassy plain that she hadn't seen since her pilgrimage.

Crossing the first of two bridges, she stopped and stared at the gorge below. Memories, almost as fresh as when they had first happened, flooded her mind. She could see herself, Eiolis, Chalta, and Kalvaras down there, laughing around a camp fire.

"And then I said, 'Your Mom!' really loud!" Eiolis laughed.

"Wasn't until five minutes later that the moron realized we had the same mother!" Chalta laughed.

In the middle of taking a long drink from his brown mug, Kalvaras burst into hilarity and his drink sprayed out of his nose. The other three turned their attention on him and continued their joyous laughter.

Ren took a breath and turned the chocobos around, heading down into the gorge and dismounting. She walked to the ledge and stared out at the horizon. Taking a slow breath, she turned around and watched another strong memory play across her eyes.

The summoner Ren sat next to the fire, staring into it. Walking over to her, Eiolis plopped to the ground and fell over onto his side right behind her. Propping his head up on his hand, he looked to her and asked, "What're you thinking about?"

"Nothing," she said and smiled to him.

"Liar," he said.

"How can you tell?" She looked to him with an almost naïve sense to her.

"Your smile didn't reach your eyes." Sighing, he added, "As a matter of fact, your smile hasn't reached your eyes since we got married." Sitting up, he asked, "Is it something I did?"

"No," she said and shook her head slowly. "It's not like that Eio."

"Was it Chalta?" he said loudly.

Chalta poked his head out of the tent and said, "What?"

"Nothing," the blonde Al Bhed replied to his brother.

Chalta stared at them awkwardly and it made the couple laugh. "You guys are retarded," he muttered and his orange head retreated into the tent.

Sliding his hands around his wife's waist, Eiolis drew her close and lay a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Say, Naoska," he said softly, placing his chin on her shoulder. "What would happen to your pilgrimage if I got you pregnant?"

Eyes widening, she said, "I would quit. I couldn't defeat Sin knowing that when I went, so would our child."

Grinning, Eiolis threw his fist into the air, shouting, "Let's get you pregnant!"

"WHAT!" Kalvaras ran down the slope and threw a rock at the blonde.

Jumping to his feet, the Al Bhed took off running, the dark-haired Kalvaras chasing him. "NAOSKA! Your brother's gonna kill me!" he shouted.

"Not just kill you, I'll turn your happy little Al Bhed-speaking ass into dinner!" Kalvaras shouted.

Ren laughed, and so did Chalta, who now had his head poking out of the tent once more.

Shaking her head, Ren rubbed her eyes. She wasn't sure if the memories were so strong because she was where they took place, or for a different reason. Taking a breath to steady her mind, she began to leave the gorge, taking hold of the chocobo's reins and leading them behind her. At the top of the slope, her eyes played tricks on her once again.

Eiolis stood at the top of the slope. Between his body and the rocky wall was the summoner Ren. Their hands slid about the other's body; their lips locked in a passionate moment.

Reaching down, the ex-summoner Ren took up a rock and flung it at the two figures, they disappeared and she was left staring at nothing. "Maybe I'm just sleepy," she muttered. Nodding rapidly, she said, "Yeah! That's it! I'm just tired!" And with that, she decided to set up camp in the gorge.