A/N: Wow, been a long time since I updated. Anyway, here's the next chapter. No random A/N battles this time.

Luin: Blame the fact that he only got eight hours of sleep. Geez Sandstone, isn't eight enough?

Sandstone: nope.

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Besaid Sphere:

We arrived at Besaid, Yuna directing us to land at the beach. I recognized it easily… it was close to where Suicune and myself had dropped him off, before we found another place to get onto the island ourselves. The Aurochs usually practiced in the general area, but they were apparently taking the day off.

As we walked through the sand, Yuna looked towards one spot. It was an area of glass among the sand. The kids had been warned away from it… it was where I taught Yuna how to handle her pokemon, Arsnakra. She's got a wicked sense of humor, and is a bit uncontrollable, but the two of them are a much better team now.

Paine followed her glance, and must have seen the glassed area. "Let me guess. You two caused that?"

I nodded, while Yuna grinned abashedly. "We were training, and someone got a little carried away."

Paine rolled her eyes, and walked ahead of us. The three of us exchanged a glance, and Yuna whispered "We really should give her a pokemon too."

I thought about it, and then shrugged. "I'll see what ones I have." I had a wicked grin on my face, though. "Something that suits her personality, I think."

Rikku had a grin on her face as she spherechanged into her pokemon trainer outfit. She reached into her bag, pulled out her pokedex, and pressed a few keys. "Lets see… something depressing, yet tough looking…"

I released Psymachine and Suicune. "Comments, you two?"

Aggron, Shiftry, Tyranitar, Absol…

Houndoom, Skarmory, maybe Kingdra, or Sneasel, but those imps annoy me… Ursaring…

Rikku cried, "Hey, what about a Scizor?" She held up the image of the pokemon, and I chuckled. "I was thinking Aerodactyl… but any of those work."

Suicune gave me a quizzical look, then shook her head. I should have known. Those things aren't dead, are they?

Psymachine said it for me: Nope. We encountered a few of the buggers, they tried to eat him. Luckily, I evolved to save his ass.

I sighed, scanning what pokemon I actually had. It went from those, to Lairon, Skarmory, Sneasel, Scyther, Absol (don't ask how I got that one pokemon) or Ursaring. "How about we keep up with her, and worry about it later? I've got six options."

Rikku shrugged, and Yuna jogged to catch up with Paine, leaving the two of us behind. Rikku smiled, saying lightly, "Is it me, or is she giving us some 'alone time'?"

I nodded. "She is. You know her, she's a romantic."

Rikku giggled, and lifted the baseball cap from my head, peering at the images of the badges on it. "What are these anyway?"

I laughed quietly.

&&&&&

Yuna and Paine had halted, looking down at Besaid from a distance. We caught up with them, in time for Yuna to say nervously, "I'm a little nervous." She'd told me that this was the statue-thing that people used to pray at before leaving on a voyage. I wasn't with them at the time, so I didn't know about it.

Rikku said quietly, "I bet, the way you took off without a word."

I elbowed Rikku slightly. "She left with a word. I remember Wakka yelling at me to turn the ship around."

Rikku giggled, and Yuna flushed at the memory. I laughed, then was caught up in a headlock. "You said it, brudda."

"Gleeegh!" I slammed my arm into his gut, and he let go. I needed several deep breaths, though. I rubbed my neck, and scowled at him. "Jeez. And you complained that I frightened people."

Wakka grinned, then turned to Yuna, a scowl on his face (though he kept on 'loosing it', nearly grinning again). "You caused quite a fuss, young lady."

Yuna said weakly, "I'm sorry." She looked slightly pale as she said it.

Wakka finally did grin, and Yuna regained her normal coloring. "Well, as long as you're okay, ya?" He's still saying that… it's an accent. He looked over at Paine, and asked, "Your friend?"

Yuna looked over at her, then said quickly, "Oh, this is Paine. We're looking for spheres together." Paine nodded slightly at the introduction.

I whispered quietly to Wakka, "She's like Auron, but with breasts."

He paused, then nodded quietly. After a moment, he started walking towards the village, and we trailed after him. "So you're a sphere hunter now... I heard the rumors. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too worried. Gotta say, though... You, uh, do seem pretty different."

I rolled my eyes. "That's the idea, Wakka."

Rikku giggled and walked up so that she was beside him, and lightly elbowed Wakka's stomach. "Aw, you haven't changed a bit, tubby."

Wakka shook his head helplessly and pushed her away. "Cut it out, ya! I'm going to be a father soon. Got to have a little more presence, you know?"

I snorted, but Yuna asked, "How much longer?"

Wakka smiled broadly, saying, "Any day now!"

Rikku had a sloppy grin on her face as she said, "Wakka, a daddy!" She sounded kinda girlish as she said it.

Wakka laughed lightly and then admitted, "To tell the truth, I sure don't feel like one. I mean, how do I know how a father's supposed to act in front of his kid?"

I sighed. "Wakka, believe me. No parent really does know what to do, it's mostly improvisation. Some of 'em rely on what their parents did… you could try that…"

Wakka stared at me. "You sound like you know what you're talking about…"

I snorted. "Please. I traveled a lot, that's the only reason I know. No way I'm ready for kids."

Wakka stared off into the distance. "What their parents did…" He sighed. Rikku asked, "Don't you remember them?"

Wakka shook his head helplessly. "No, don't remember 'em. Sin saw to that when I was still little."

Yuna asked, "You don't have any spheres of them?"

Wakka shook his head tiredly. "Nope, not a single…" He trailed off, and I swear I caught a flash of some realization in his eyes. Sometimes, I wish I was still Mewtwo, it was easier when I could read minds.

Yuna asked, "What's wrong?"

Wakka remained silent for a moment, then said, "Oh, uh...nothing, nothing." He waved us off, and continued, "Anyway, do me a favor and go say hi to Lu. She's been worried about you."

Yuna and Rikku had girlish grins on their faces as they raced inside (we had already arrived, and were standing next to his place). I sighed. Babies… I slowly followed Paine inside. She didn't seem to care much either.

Lulu called out to us, "Welcome back." She was seated on the couch, looking fairly rested (and not crabby). The Haunter I had given her was 'standing' there solemnly, apparently taking its job of guard duty seriously. Odd, most Haunter were pranksters… then again, it was Lulu. If anyone could scare a ghost, it was Lulu in a bad mood.

Yuna said innocently, "Hi, Lulu."

Rikku quickly cut in, "So tell us about the baby! It's gonna be born soon, right?"

Lulu smiled faintly at Rikku's eagerness. "Not yet. Wakka's getting a little ahead of himself."

Rikku hung her head, and sighed. "Aw, bummer." She leaned on me, and rested her head against mine.

Lulu remained silent, but I could see her smile secretly. After a few moments, she asked, "So, care to go for a little walk?"

Yuna asked worriedly, "Can you?"

Lulu nodded. "I could use the exercise. Come on."

She walked us slowly out of the hut/house, and towards the bluff overlooking Besaid. I remained still for a moment, looking at the Haunter, which sent me a grin, then walked after the others.

&&&&&

Lulu asked Yuna after we arrived, "So, what's so important that you'd run off without telling us?"

Yuna had pulled out the sphere we'd given her (myself and Rikku) in two hands, like it was made of glass. "This." She said simply.

Lulu studied it, peering into it. "The sphere. Wakka told me about it."

Yuna clicked it on, and the images started playing. I'd seen it over a dozen times; I knew what it looked like.

Rikku added, "Kimahri said he found it on Mt. Gagazet."

Lulu watched the figure start shouting at the unseen recorder, then slump. "It does look like him. Though something seems a little… off."

The recording ended, and I sighed. Something was bothering me… a lot now. Every time I watched that sphere now, I got a bad feeling, but I could never pin it down. It could be some sort of foresight, but it was way too vague to pin down….

Rikku arched an eyebrow at me, and I shrugged helplessly. "I've been watching that sphere a lot. Something's been bothering me about it, though I don't know what. But what do I know, I'm an alien." That comment earned a grin from her… that line was one of our jokes we used on occasion.

Lulu asked "Have you found anything?"

Yuna shook her head dejectedly. "Nothing. But there's still lot of places we haven't looked yet."

Lulu smiled. "Must be fun, being free to go where you please."

Yuna brightened, saying lightly, "It is fun, I never expected a journey quite like this."

Lulu looked warily at me, then added, "I'm not there, so you can spread your wings?"

Yuna said with a guarded smile, "Maybe."

Lulu laughed. "You have spread your wings." She paused, then gathered her thoughts, and added, "Well, good luck. But, Yuna, never forget who you are."

I looked over at Yuna. She looked puzzled and confused.

Lulu explained warningly, "You're the high summoner that defeated Sin. There are those who would use that, Yuna."

Yuna's eyes hardened. I frowned myself at the word 'use', because of certain memories. That bastard Seymour… Yuna said quietly (with a look of fiery determination), "I'll be all right. I won't let myself be used anymore. Not by anyone."

Lulu looked over at me, then remained silent. She knew that the day I let someone use me or my pokemon was the day that I turned back into a murderer… well, friends and a certain someone got away with it, but no one else. Meh, I'm not a High Summoner anyway.

Lulu smiled, and then reached for her midsection, leaning over slightly.

Yuna asked worriedly, "Hm?"

Lulu still had one hand on her midsection, but smiled weakly. "It kicked."

Yuna asked, "Really?"

Rikku said, "I wanna feel!"

Lulu smiled helplessly as the Al Bhed teenager placed her hands gently on her stomach, almost wonderingly. She looked over at me, and I clearly shook my head, making a face. Lulu quietly laughed.

Rikku looked up at her, and asked, "What?"

She looked at Rikku, then me. "I just asked Luin a question, that's all."

She looked over at me, and I shook my head, giving her a faint grin. "I'll tell you later."

&&&&&

Lulu said as we arrived at the village gates, "Since you've come all this way, why not stay the night?"

Yuna nodded, and said, "I'll stay at my place." She turned, and headed straight for the temple.

Paine watched her leave, as did Rikku and I. After she entered the shadowed place, I said quietly, "I only watched from the outside at the time. Cleared the way for them." I chuckled, and added quietly, "They didn't catch me until Kilika."

Rikku giggled. "Yeah. And everyone was mondo-creeped out by you and your team." She giggled again, then smiled at me. "Tidus tried to make himself sound so brave… but he told me afterwards that he was seriously creeped out by you sometimes. Even I was… well, before the Thunder Plains."

Paine looked at the two of us, then asked, "Him?"

We both nodded. Rikku glanced at me, and I waived her on. "Yea. The two of them were like us… but without the mind-reading."

Paine arched an eyebrow, and I shook my head. "Long story. Just suffice it to say that we read each other's mind at times."

Paine shook her head tiredly, and asked "where's Yuna's place?" Yuna had her own… well, house would be the best word, and so did I. Pokemon are such wonderful companions sometimes… with Psymachine, Sunseeker, and even Mindstrike, we built a house in a week. The others weren't interested, or afraid of the pokemon, they didn't ask.

Rikku grabbed my hand, and walked towards my place. Simple construction really – single story, two bedroom affair. Wasn't all that big, but I didn't need it to be. Yuna's was built along the same lines, but slightly more elaborate and decorative. I pointed, but Rikku asked, "Aw… Paine, you could just stay with us!"

She turned, and remained silent. Rikku huffed, "She at least coulda said why!"

I sighed softly. "She's afraid she wouldn't get any sleep."

Rikku's mouth opened in an 'o', and after a few moments, she giggled again, slightly reddening. "Well handsome, it's just you and me. Care to sweep me off my feet now?"

I arched an eyebrow sardonically, and literally picked her up, bridal style. She laughed all the way there.

&&&&&

I stretched out on the bed next to Rikku. The room only had a single decoration – Rikku's Godhand – well, and a painting we'd picked up in Bevelle. My Master Sword had disappeared… I never got it back after I changed into Mewtwo. This place… well, it was our 'home', but we weren't here very often together. I lived here when I was helping Yuna recover (I wasn't going to start rumors by sleeping in her spare bedroom), but Rikku rarely dropped by during that time. I understand why, we'd both agreed to take it slower… but still, it was depressing. When we traveled, we only stopped here for a day or two, and went back out. It was more of a place to recover than anything else… so I guess it was home.

Rikku sighed, and asked, "You think there's a sphere here?"

I shrugged. "Wakka was acting weird." I coughed, then said in mock-Wakka, "Not a single… uhm… never mind me, I think there might be one. Uhm… go say hi to Lu, ya?"

Rikku giggled (it was a horrible impression), but rolled over onto her side so she could look at me. "I'm going to sleep. You need anything?"

I pecked her on the lips, then rolled onto my side. "Na. Just some sleep… so don't kick the crap out of me while I'm sleeping."

She growled playfully at me, then said, "It was only that one time!"

I winced visibly, and she rested an arm casually on my side. She said in mock severity, "oh, just go to sleep."

I turned so I was nose to nose with her, then said mildly, "Yes ma'am." I closed my eyes, and exhaled slowly. After about three seconds, I was out like a light.

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Rikku looked at the sleeping Luin. "How does he do that?" Three seconds, and he was asleep. He could stay awake for a day, and then he'd do something like that. So far as she could tell, he hadn't done that on Yuna's pilgrimage… well, maybe he had. She might know about his darkest secrets, but she really didn't know every little detail about his past, he was understandably reluctant to talk about some parts.

His voice (in her memory) said lightly, "I'm part Mew."

Rikku wondered out loud, "Isn't Mew… didn't you tell me that Mewtwo was Mew's bastard child?"

Luin remained silent, sleeping deeply. She knew that if it hadn't been her voice, he'd probably have snapped awake. Or if she'd shouted for him… but she didn't want him to wake up anyway.

She shook her head. He acted strange sometimes, but usually it wasn't anything too abnormal… for him, anyway.

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Yuna walked in, looking well rested. Paine was following her, a slight scowl on her face. "Luin, where's Rikku?"

I looked over to the bathroom. "She's taking a shower right now." I sighed, and said tiredly, "She didn't sleep very well… and it isn't my fault."

Rikku walked out of the bathroom, surrounded by stream. She looked better than she had before, just tired. Yuna looked over at her with worry, and Rikku smiled innocently. "I'm fine, Yunie."

I mildly said, "Yeah, you are." I had a few marks on my skin from her fitful sleeping. She'd lashed out at something a few times, fists and feet flying, and got me. I sighed, rubbed a scratch she'd given me, then stretched. "We ready to go?"

Yuna giggled as she reached for a piece of fruit that was ripe. "How about breakfast first?"

I sighed wordlessly. I wasn't a big breakfast eater. But I grabbed a fruit to munch on, while Rikku ate a larger meal, slowly getting back her energy. She wasn't her usual 'peppy' self, but this happened sometimes when she didn't sleep enough.

Paine leaned against the wall, not eating. She still reminded me of Auron.