A/N: Long time, no see! I don't know how it happened, but I finally got a drive to work on this story again. Forgive me if things seem a little out of place. I've been working with third-person a lot recently, so shifting back into first-person took some time. I hope it paid off.

Standard disclaimer applies.

Things were pretty smooth as we headed up the hill. A few monsters, or "fiends" as Wakka and Lulu called them, came up but Tidus, Wakka, and Lulu made short work of them. I couldn't even have the chance to speak and say, 'Hey, can I give it a shot?' I was actually getting bored, and I guess Yuna noticed because she slowed her pace and walked beside me for a bit, starting a conversation in the process.

"Nothing's wrong, is it?" Yuna asked as I rested my hands behind my head. It was a little habit I started as a kid that I could never grow out of.

"Well, I'm not sure if you would call it wrong," I answered, "but I'm a little bored."

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone else was able to fight something. Not that I'm experienced or anything, but I would like to do something."

I heard Yuna giggle a little. "I think I may know what you're going through."

"Really? How's that?" Yuna gave me a blank stare, reminding me of Rikku and Wakka with their weird looks when Tidus and I said something strange or asked a question about Spira. "Is it something I should know?"

Yuna shook her head. "No, it's just… Never mind." Her tone had a hint of something in it. Fear? Worry? Regret? I couldn't exactly pinpoint it, but I didn't want to pry. Something told me to leave it alone. "By the way, I noticed you're not wearing those gloves."

The quick change of subject left me a bit dazed, but I then followed. "Oh, this?" I pulled out the right handed glove and held it up for Yuna to see.

"Yes."

"I just wear them when needed. They're my… weapon, in a way."

"The gloves are?"

I nodded. "They have a bit of weight on them. Want to feel?" I held it out for Yuna to grab hold. It felt lighter than when I first received them from Auron, but maybe because I'm used to the weight by now. As Yuna got a hold of it, I let go and her entire arm fell with the weight. However, she kept hold of the glove.

"Oh my! It's quite heavy." I couldn't help but smirk. "You weren't joking."

"I wasn't trying to." I stated as I took back the glove and put it on, just in case anything was to happen.

"How can you lift that?"

I shrugged. "Not that sure myself. I guess I'm stronger than I give myself credit for."

"Girls!" Wakka screamed. "Behind you!" I whirled around to see what caused Wakka to scream like he did and saw a deformed wolf lunging for me and Yuna in mid-air, only a foot away until it hit us. Seemingly out of instinct, I curled my right hand to a fist and swung it to the attacking fiend. It made contact on its neck and a loud crack followed as it deepened into the skin of the creature. A bit of saliva found its way to my face before the fiend changed direction, hit the ground, and rolled about a yard before stopping and disappearing in that same light show fashion.

It took a minute before I could get out of the sudden shock, but I was able to compose myself and wipe the spit off my face, as disgusting as it was. I looked back to see Wakka and Tidus with the mouths open and Lulu and Yuna with a surprised expression on their face. "Sorry about that." I said and received a smile from Yuna.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Yuna stated, making me smile.

"You seem to hold more promise than I would have guessed," Lulu stated. I couldn't help but look at her. What "promise" is she talking about? "Anyway, the show's over. Let us continue."

I was still a little dazed at what she said. What does she see in me? I couldn't really put my finger on it, and Tidus getting me out of my train of thought didn't help either. "Jeena! Come on!"

"Coming!" I called back and jogged up the hill to meet them.

"Pretty good there, Sis," my brother said as he ruffled my hair a bit.

I waved him off and pushed down what hair he messed up. "Good? No, I wouldn't say that."

"You're too modest." I wasn't trying to be modest. I really had no idea what I was doing, honestly.

It didn't take much longer until we made it to the top of the hill. I ran ahead to the rope walls and looked down on the village we just left. Besaid looked small inside the place, but up here made it seem like some small insect. The only building that gave it any coverage was the temple alone.

I heard Yuna and Lulu walk up beside me but didn't take time to look at them. "Small village," I mumbled.

"Yes," I heard Yuna say, "but comfortable." Her voice had that tone again. However, this time I heard a bit of sadness. The temptation of speaking rose and it took a lot to hold myself back. I knew there was something in the air that asked for silence.

"Let's get going, man!" Apparently Tidus didn't think the same way.

"We're gonna wait." Wakka seemed to agree with me, though, but Yuna apparently was stirred to move as I heard feat shuffle.

"You don't have to leave yet," I whispered loud enough for her to hear. As I turned, she met my eyes and then tilted her head in a motion to say 'let's move on.' I nodded and followed.

"Are you ready?" Wakka asked as we neared. Yuna nodded and walked on. I stood beside my brother as Lulu walked up and exchanged a glance with Wakka, both nodding and following the summoner.

"What's going on?" Tidus asked and I had to resist the urge to knock him upside the head again.

"They are going on a journey, remember?" I asked wondering if any sense was left in him.

"Yeah. And?"

I rolled my eyes before walking. "We should both know what it's like being away from home, Tidus."

We neared a statue with Wakka on his knees and his hands were in that 'prayer' circle he shown us before. "What's up?" I asked.

"It's an ancient custom," Wakka explained. "People leaving the island pray here for a safe trip." I looked at the statue closely, but I wasn't able to see the significance of the custom. "Chappu didn't pray that day. Said he'd miss his boat." That roused a question, but Wakka seemed busy. I looked around and saw everyone else do the same thing, except for my brother, who actually seemed to know what Wakka was talking about. So, out of curiosity, I decided to ask him.

"Tidus," I whispered. "Who's Chappu?"

"His brother," Tidus answered in the same volume, surprising me a bit. "He... died fighting Sin."

That shook me. After a couple seconds, I found myself making the same 'prayer' gesture out of fear. Maybe, just maybe, it would mean something in the long run.

"That should do it," Wakka announced and we moved forward.

Further down the road, there was an old ruin ahead with it's four pillars, or supports, drilled into the ground. Even if it was a city destroyed by Sin, I found it quiet inspiring for some reason. Tidus and I were ahead, enjoying the scenery, but our enjoyment was cut short as something quickly made it's way down from the ruins.

"Tidus!" I yelled as I noticed and we both jumped back in time to miss the creatures tackle. I focused after the event and noticed it was the same creature that I saw in the temple with Lulu and Yuna. What was it doing?

"I got this!" Tidus announced, pulling out his sword. The creature responded by pulling out a lance, telling me that battle was only option.

Unsure of the situation, I stepped back to let Tidus handle things. He lunged forward to give the first strike, but the creature was able to block him with its weapon and then tackled my brother, sending him to the ground. Without any hesitation, the creature jumped up a great height, positioning his lance to drill Tidus as it came down.

"Look out!" I screamed and Tidus was able to backflip in time to dodge the killing attack. In return, my brother decided to push back and tackled the creature, but it recovered and lunged itself at Tidus. He was still recovering from his attack, so my fear caused me to run into the battle and I swung my gloved hand into the creature's chest, knocking him to the side a good distance.

"Jeena?" I didn't look at my brother since I was more focused on the creature's next action. I thought I found surprise in its eyes when it looked at me, but that faded when he jumped again, trying the same trick.

"Launch me!" I ordered and jumped into Tidus who was able to make his hands a foothold and pushed me up as I jumped again, racing up to the creature and I sent an elbow into his gut before snatching his weapon and then using it's hilt to push him below me. I watched in the air as he plummeted down, but Tidus decided to add to it and jumped up to where he flipped and kicked the creature to add more force as it hit the ground.

I landed on my feet, kneeling with one hand as extra support. Looking up, the creature was able to stand straight as if nothing we did hurt him. "You must joking..." My brother said, exhaustion taking it's course.

"What is this thing?" I asked myself.

"That's enough!" Wakka called and the creature seemed to relax. I was completely confused when Wakka walked up and patted the creature on the back. "You want to give him his weapon back?"

"Uh..." The creature walked up to me and then put his hand out. His eyes wasn't as fierce as before. Actually, the seemed approving. "I guess..." I handed his lance back and he put it away while turning and walking ahead.

"What's with that guy?" Tidus asked in a stern tone.

"Kimahri Ronso, of the Ronso tribe," Lulu explained. "He's learned the fiends' way of fighting."

"That's not what I meant!"

"He's another of Yuna's guardians," Wakka added.

"He is?" I asked in disbelief.

Yuna laughed and walked up. "Sometimes we don't understand him either. Kimahri doesn't talk much anyway." I guess that explains the silent giant act. "But he has protected me since I was a child."

Tidus seemed to gain interest at the last part and I found myself smiling as I heard. If Kimahri had a protective nature, then that battle must've been nothing more than a test, and since thinking about his gaze at me now, I think I passed.