Hi everyone! I'm so sorry for the delay but I really didn't have much of an option as I have an exam tomorrow morning. So I'll try to make this as quick as possible. I DON'T OWN ANYTHING IN THIS STORY! See? Already said. Aria and all the OCs are mine though so back off.

A.N – I had another submission for the name so I have decided to prolong the voting for one more week

Here are the three already submitted. Please vote for your favourite or submit your own.

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Meva Ysimad – It means "life amulet" and it's Al-bhed (language from FFX for those who don't know) – Submitted by AoA.

Apotropaic – It means "to have the power to avert evil" and it's greek – Submitted by Orodruin

Benu – It means "to rise in brilliance" and it is a way to refer to the phoenix. It's Egyptian – Submitted by Crystalparadise

Aduro a Atrer – It means "light in dark" and it is latin – Submitted by Orodruin

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Please say something, people

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To my reviewers:

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Angel Of Apocolypse – Hey! Welcome back. I'm really glad you liked Clare. To be honest she was made at the similarity of a friend of mine. She's very hyper, always smiling and always seeing the positive side of things. Basically we keep her very far away from coffee. And if you liked her…well, you'll love another character that will appear pretty soon. I don't know what I was drinking when I wrote that but hey, it seems to work. Anyways, happy to know that you liked the chapter. I really like when people say that. It makes everything worthwhile. Thanks for warning me about the mistakes as well. I hope you're okay as well as your family. Keep on smiling because if there's one thing that gives another person strength is a smile. Take care.

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Orodruin – Wow! Two chapters huh? Well, keep on rolling cause I love to receive comments about my writing. Yes, it was river (wince). Stupid mistake. Already corrected. I'm happy to see that you're enjoying Red's and Taur's interventions. I'm trying to keep them balanced, from serious to critique and joking. They are, after all, Aria's support. Thank you so much for detecting the errors. I've already corrected all of them so if you find any in this chapter feel free to warn me. Thank you also for the new name for the amulet. The voting will be extended for one more week because of your submission ; ). And yes, the bearer part is something to be careful about. Just read on and you'll understand…or not. Nevertheless I really have to say this. You have an anime character and videogame character living on your attic? Ok…that's nice…I think. Can you introduce me to that summoning process so I can call a few ones for me (Rea falls on her knees. Tanathos appears on room and smacks her on the head). Stupid brothers and their stupid ideas about dignity. Well, gotta go. Enjoy the chappie.

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Welcome to the twenty-sixth chapter of Second life…(Rea grabs book and goes back to try cramming knowledge into mind)

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Zell was looking at the small cereal bar with a sad look, one a person would have to associate with mourning or something equally distressing.

– "Why this?" – Ariadne chuckled lightly as she threw similar bars to the others.

– "It feeds and it's easy to transport" – Aria answered simply before she sat against a tree near Quistis. – "Next time I'll be sure to pack a dozen hot-dogs for you" – She closed her eyes slowly discarding the rest of the conversation.

The whispers were soothing, the heat of the fire they had lit upon arrival, comforting and her limbs were apparently refusing to move a lot. For a moment she could almost believe she was home, in her room, safe…never mind the knot of the tree digging on her back or the, somewhat painful, stone beneath her right leg that she was too tired to move away.

Someone elbowed her, making her lose her precarious balance against the support of the tree and fall to the floor. Sea green eyes opened to glare at her offender.

– "Did that had a legitimate purpose?" – She asked sweetly. Or as sweetly as one could ask when glaring at someone from a very uncomfortable place on the floor

– "Yes" – Quistis pointed to the bar that was being held loosely on Ariadne's hand – "Eat and then you can sleep" – Aria rolled her eyes as she sat once more.

– "Thanks for that oh-so-needed permission sister of mine." – The rock was taken from under her leg and promptly thrown at Irvine's head – "Laugh again and the next one will be heavier" – And only a firm mental command stopped her from pouting and crossing her arms like a kid.

Somehow those flashes were becoming frequent over the last months. But nevertheless she bit the bar ignoring the way her stomach seemed to rebel.

– "It is consequence of your routine" – Lectured Sacred – "Little sleep, too many fights and extreme use of magic."

– "Basically you're dead on your feet" – Added Minotaur with what could only be a smirk – "Swallow that and get some shut eye. Or you could just ignore what we have been saying and allow Bro to knock you out" – She groaned mentally but forced herself to continue to eat. Painfully slow though.

Aria sighed softly, feeling again the urge to forget the food and go to sleep, but ignored it looking at her companions.

Zell was snoring loudly enough to wake the dead, the undead and everything that existed in between. How was he able to sleep using a rock as a pillow she didn't have the faintest clue.

Selphie was using Irvine's lap as hers, the duo making a very sweet and candid picture. And Irvine, pretending to sleep but touching lightly her hair every now and then, only increased that feeling. Aria fought against herself not to comment even mentally.

Rinoa was near Squall as expected, her head on the small bag Selphie usually carried with her and that would probably have to be abandoned before they entered the castle.

Quistis was by Ariadne's side, calm and vigilant, hands coiled around the Save the Queen she had bought in Esthar. The only movement that betrayed her tiredness was the barely audible sighs when her eyes began to close only to open in the next second.

And Squall…Aria shivered a bit as she noticed his blue eyes on her. He was sitting also against a tree, arms crossed to preserve warmth and the glare that was a sure way to raise her annoyance. Irvine was right. He did know how to do it. And the exasperating thing was that he didn't need to do a lot.

Ariadne narrowed her eyes momentarily before moodily biting the rest of the bar and pulling her coat more securely around her body.

– "Quis" – She called softly as to not bother the others – "Wake me in two hours 'kay?" – The instructor didn't seem too satisfied with that but nodded all the same. Not that she had a lot of choices really.

Aria sighed again as she rested her head against the hard trunk behind her. The last thing she saw was Squall's eyes still watching her before she fell asleep.

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- "I know that you are still tired but the rock under your neck will probably not do you any good" – Ariadne opened her blurry eyes slowly forcing herself to ignore Sacred's ranting. She should already be used to it by now as her GF had woken her up like that multiple times in the last years but every day he did she had the same will to strangle him.

– "You are the most annoying wake up clock I have ever had" – Aria growled as she sat. Apparently her sense of balance wasn't very good when she was asleep. That and she was dead tired not wake after sliding to the floor only to end up in a very uncomfortable position.

– "No" – The Galbadian really hated when he used his I'm-wise-you're-not-deal-with-it tone – "I am simply the one you are unable to destroy." – She groaned as she heard 'Taur's laughter joining with his brother's.

– "Exasperating piece of matter."

– "That was deep Aria" – Was his rebut – "Awake yet?" – She was. It always worked. Ariadne stood silently, as the spy she had been trained to be, only to find her companions asleep.

All of them.

Even Quistis that had asked for the first shift was in deep slumber against the same tree Aria had fallen asleep next to. She looked so tired even in sleep. They all were. The last months had been a lot more than extremely hard and had taken its toll on everyone.

With care Aria wrapped her black coat around the older woman, that didn't even steer with the action, before casting a Fire on the dying flames. The night seemed one of middle-spring, therefore not too cold, but still it was better be safe than sorry.

She rolled her eyes at herself with the thoughts that were running around in her head. She wasn't supposed to be thinking wise stuff.

– "As if" – Came 'Taur's kind input. – "But talking about unwise stuff what are you doing?" – Aria was sheathing her katanas back as she walked to the stone door. It was different on the inside but she could see the same inscriptions that had been carved on its opposite.

– "Ok…question number one: What the hell is a dead language of EARTH doing in who-know-how-many years in the bloody future on GAEA?" – She asked, as she sat next to the door, proceeding to scrap the earth from the inscriptions.

– "Your guess is as good as ours Aria" – Stated Sacred – "But you are here. Wouldn't it mean that maybe someone from Earth got here as well?" – The girl raised an eyebrow as she continued her task.

– "A roman or a European priest?" – She whispered back as she fingered the small letters – "And maybe with that you can explain why he, or she, wrote them on a stone pillar" – Ariadne sighed softly.

– "I hate not getting answers." – The silence in her head spoke volumes.

– "You're not worried only because of that, are you Aria?" – Inquired Taur. She chuckled with a sad undertone.

– "You guys always know when I'm hiding something, don't you?" – Aria sat on the floor and placed her head on her arms.

– "I don't know what to do" – She confessed angrily – "I simply don't know. Maybe I can go home after this but to what home? For all I know mom, dad and Lugh probably think I'm dead or something."

"And if I do go…then what? What future do I still have there? I am a Seed for Hyne's sake. Listen to me. I have not said God ever since I came here. I was trained to fight, magic is something real and palpable and…shit…how can I leave everyone? How can I leave you guys?" – Worry flowed from both sides of their connection.

– "Aria…"

- "Don't worry 'bout it Aria" – Said Minotaur interrupting his brother – "This isn't about other's lives. It's yours. You should decide what you'll do for your future." – Distinct awe replaced the worry.

– "That was almost insightful little brother" – Declared Sacred – "Have you been practicing?" – She chuckled lightly as she heard the two brothers begin to argue.

They always did that…always. And it never failed to take her mind off things. She sighed softly, feeling the strange comfort they gave her, before…

– "Need anything Commander?" – Her head rose slowly to meet the brown haired man that seemed to have been watching her. She smirked a bit with the unspoken question.

– "Selphie can't be silent to save her life, Zell wouldn't know what discretion is if it hit him on the face with a sign and Irvine uses cowboy boots. They make this really annoying noise" – She answered calmly – "I can recognize Rinoa by the sound of her boots' sound as well…rubber makes a different one and Quis by the chain of her whip. You should really do something to silence your sheath and gunblade. Any spy can hear them from a mile away" – And after that she placed her head once more in her arms.

The absence of sound, except for those of the forest, told her that he had not left yet.

– "You shouldn't be by yourself" – Ariadne scoffed slightly.

– "And why would I care…?" – She knew she was testing his patience and that he was probably right but, after what had happened in the Lunatic Pandora, a really annoyed part of her knew he deserved as good as he got. Aria ignored the other half and raised her head once more. Emerald met dark blue.

– "What's your problem Commander?" – She asked calmly. A flash of anger passed through his expression but left as soon as it was visible.

– "Don't call me that" – His tone was harsh, the order distinct in each word. The only reaction he got was a small movement of her head as it supported itself on one hand.

– "You placed down the rules of the game" – A smile, that could almost be considered amused, if it wasn't for the hard glint in her eyes, curved her lips. – "I simply followed them." – She stood up in a sudden movement, patting the dust out of her clothes.

– "I just thought you were better than to let childish grudges could your judgment. I thought wrong. Nothing new." – And again Aria saw emotion flash through his eyes. It seemed she was just as good to riddle him as he to riddle her.

– "At least I get some joy out of these wonderful arguments" – She thought controlling the urge to roll her eyes again.

– "You make it sound too easy" – Squall stated in his usual cold tone – "Past is something impossible to evade" – Her anger subsided with those words. From them she could at least know one thing…he was just as lost as she was. More even. She wasn't the leader after all.

– "I know that" – Ariadne smiled grimly without any anger in her expression – "Hyne knows that I know that better than anyone. But...I never asked you to forget or evade. To forget the past is to be condemned to repeat it. Never heard that before? – She paused looking at him thoughtfully.

– "What were you thinking back there Squall?" – Her temper had subsided for the moment making her chose to stop needling him. The last thing she wanted was another shouting match.

– "As much as you hated him you should have been able to see what I was doing. So what was the deal?" – For a moment Aria though he wouldn't say a thing. For a moment she thought he would only mutter a "whatever" and turn to where he had come from… only for a moment.

– "What made you stop in the middle of the battle?" – Squall asked back, supporting himself against a tree. Green and blue. Different. But she had seen…

- A mirror – The girl whispered with a bitter smile – "I saw myself in him. I saw the fear that she made me feel…I saw the pain I felt…" - She shook her head faintly – "I understood then…You didn't answer my question." – Blue and green. Opposites.

– "You saw what I could not see" – He answered coolly – "Leader?" – A small sound of disbelief was heard on the thick silence – "I couldn't see past the façade. He would be dead or worse if you had not intervened. In whose hands would be his blood?" – She raised an eyebrow

– "I don't know" – Sarcasm dripped from her tone – "Maybe…huh…that bloody sorceress we came into the future to fight with? Ultimecia rings a bell?" – Ariadne rolled her eyes finding his guilt complex somewhat unbearable.

– "For Hyne's sake Squall" – She chided pulling a strand of hair back in an annoyed movement – "Can't you understand that you are not to blame for every bad thing that happens in the world? You didn't see it…so what? Wanted to have your mind raped just to be able to help him?" – Aria was beginning to hate silence. Really hate it.

- "This silence gets us nowhere, gets us nowhere way too fast" – The words of the song she had heard barely days before played themselves, over and over, in her mind.

Her hand moved on its own accord to touch his cheek softly. He didn't avoid it this time.

– "You're a great leader Squall. We would have landed in even more trouble if you weren't there. You aren't perfect so what?" – He didn't say a thing as he grabbed her hand and pulled it slowly down before giving her a glance, so piercing that she almost turned her face away…almost.

– "You always know what to say" – He finally said – "You always seem to hold the answers." – She cocked her head faintly in sour amusement.

– "I just don't hold the ones I want the most" – Aria freed her hand after a second and smirked.

– "Come on fearsome leader before we get dragged back by our beloved overprotective companions. Knowing Quis if we were home I would already confined to the infernory or something like that." – If he noticed the way how she changed the subject swiftly he didn't show it, as he watched her begin to walk to the camp.

– "Aria?" – She stopped dead in her tracks when her nickname was called.

– "Yeah?" – Squall was still in the same place where she had left him. His eyes never left hers.

– "What are you going to do when this is all over?" – Her expression changed subtly showing the same bitterness it had expressed earlier.

– "See Squall" – Sea green eyes clouded before Ariadne smiled sadly – "That is one question I have no answer for" – And with that she turned around to join the others.

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My POV

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Surreal.

That is the only way I think of to classify my conversation, if I could ever call it that while in my perfect mind, with Squall.

Look from my point of view here. He's the cold-headed leader, the one we count in being able to get things done when no one else can. And he was asking me my reasons for acting before jumping ahead to the shouting match? Confiding in me?

Did Hyne drank herself silly and resolved to screw up even more my life?

Cause I'm beginning to think that she grabbed it and put it in a blender with everything that she could possibly think of. He almost seemed…unsure of himself.

That's absolutely in disaccord with his personality. It's making me worry even more. Damn. As if I didn't have enough on my mind. Bloody idiot.

Why does he have the stupid compulsion to think that everything is his bloody fault!

And the worst thing is…I cannot help him more that I already did. I cannot take his burden for him. He would never forgive me for that. I just wish…I wish that I could at least lighten it a bit. I wish I had more answers to give him…some that I could actually give him.

But I don't.

So I'll do the only thing I can do. Be by his side. Be by their side. And if I can end this battle…end this war…even if to die here or to just stay alone…I'll have no regrets then.

Well…I do regret not trying Japanese food. Next time I'm listening to Josh. Nah…last time he placed cockroaches in my juice. He lives in Gaea now. Draw your own conclusions.

Damn. I am still random.

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3rd Person POV

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Ariadne winced once more as Selphie knocked over yet another jar. It was at least the fifth either her or Zell broke, making her realize clearly that if, for some freak accident of chance, Ultimecia didn't know that they had entered the castle, she would already have a welcoming committee and the whole ball ready for them by the time they reached the tower.

For someone like her, that had been drilled for the whole space of four years the importance of silence and discretion, that was becoming a really, really, slow torture.

– "Selph" – Her voice came as a sigh as she pushed the girl away from the broken pieces – "Do us all a favour and don't touch anything" – Emerald eyes moved slowly, a movement as familiar as breathing, as she took front. No one commented or tried to stop her. She was the one more fit to guide them after all.

– "Analysis is a key piece for any spy" – Her infiltration teacher's voice was sounding in her head, sharp and strong as always – "Fail to see your surroundings and you will not live to see another sunrise."

Aria had learned that lesson after she had overlooked a really inconspicuous dagger on one of the tests she had to pass at the Garden.

Result: Small scar on left shoulder and the haven't-you-heard-anything-I've-said-girl? rant.

That had been a real eye opener. Literally.

Her breathing evened out as she walked, falling into a constant rhythm, watching the long hallways. The castle seemed as if it had seen better days…happier at least. The long carpets, large frames and pictures, the beautiful patterns painted on the walls and the carefully carved furniture spoke of a time where the castle had seen life and wealth.

But as they crossed it none of them could ignore what time and neglect had done. Darkness and despair clothed each piece of their environment, each memory that they did not possess.

– "Depressing" – Grumbled Minotaur – "Can't you move more quickly or something?" – Silence in her mind for a grand total of…two seconds

– Ouch – That would have been a slap.

– "Do not listen to him Aria" – Murmured Sacred with a slight undertone of distinct annoyance – "You should counsel them to separate the group. By this rate you'll never destroy the rest of the demons." – The grip on her hand tightened as she saw something move only to relax when a curtain stirred to show a small rat.

– "Though that already" – She answered – "Can't figure a way to let them go by themselves without waiting for something like that" – She threw a small glare to Zell that was catching the frame that had almost fell. – "To happen. Besides the "divide to conquer" seems way too apt in this moment. Can you feel anything?" – Aria knew they were worried to the death. The whole situation was too unreal and, from what the two could sense, it was even worse than what they had predicted.

– "Our kind…"

- "We can't Aria" – Supplied Taur sadly – "None of them answers. Either they are not allied with humans or…" - They didn't finish the thought and Ariadne didn't need them to.

– "Keep trying." – She requested softly – "Maybe they just lost hope. Even guardians can after all. Warn me if you feel anything out of the ordinary" – Aria had to stifle a chuckle when she heard Taur muttering something about "how being in the future battling a bloody sorceress was something she did every day. All in the day's work" with as much sarcasm as she normally used.

Who had ever said that old dogs couldn't learn tricks?

Aria stopped suddenly without really knowing why almost making Irvine and Squall, whom had been walking behind her, crash against her form. She glanced at them with an exasperated look before approaching one of the walls. Heavy fabric covered it completely as well as pictures occupying every possible space between the two huge curtains. A small wooden table rested between them.

She pulled it aside easily, without any explanation to her actions, before knocking lightly on the wall. Different sounds answered her. With even more care her hands trailed the fabric searching for something still unknown.

– "What are you doing Aria?" – Selphie's voice showed clearly that she was considering for the millionth time if the Galbadian was out of her mind. Ariadne smiled slightly as she found whatever she had been looking for.

– Have you ever seen curtains without a window or a door? Or a someone changing the pattern of a fabric in only one wall? – Aria asked digging the katana to its hilt on the fabric before ripping it sharply, not bothering herself with the frames she was throwing to the ground.

– "I never did…which can mean that, either someone has really bad taste in interior decorating" – Ariadne took her katana of the minor gap between the wall and the newly discovered door. – "Or just wants to hide something." – A smirk crossed their lips as she saw it.

– "I vote for the second. Anyone knows how to open this?" – Aria pointed to the control next to the metal surface barring their path. Irvine grabbed his shotgun and blasted it before anyone could even move to help her. The door opened.

– "Anything else Aria?" – All the members of the group looked at him strangely making him shrug.

– "None of us is great at electronics" – Irvine answered simply – "So are we going in or what? Losing time and all…"– Aria didn't know if she should hit him on the head for the action, thank him for opening the door or just burst out laughing with the admiring look Selphie gave him.

The last one was winning by miles but she forced it down as she turned to the door.

A hand rested on her shoulder, making her stop, before pulling her back slightly to allow Squall's passage. Ariadne rolled her eyes as she watched him check the entrance for any traps. Only then he entered, leaving the others to follow him.

– "Zell, Irvine. Watch the door" – The commander ordered coolly – "Aria, see if you can do anything of that" – He pointed to a very normal looking computer that was resting on the single table – "Quistis, the papers. Rinoa and Selphie, check the files." – The group dismantled to their various tasks. Ariadne walked to the computer, kneeling beside it, before testing the cables and connections.

– "Someone took really good care of this thing" – She thought raising an eyebrow – "These are absolutely perfect." – Aria could almost see her guardians mimic her action.

– "Someone wanted this to be found then" – Commented Sacred.

– "Come on Aria. Turn it on. Lemme see" - She would never get used to Taur's hyperactive spur-of-the-moment moods. Especially when he managed to sound like a five-year-old-on-crack.

But nevertheless she pressed the power button and watched as the screen lightened before sitting on the decrepit chair that had been left there. Her fingers moved as quickly as they could over the sensors and keyboard, the style so similar to the ones she had used in Galbadia Garden interesting enough to increase her confusion.

– "Found anything?" – Ariadne turned away from the screen to look at Squall, a deep frown crossing her face. – "Other than the fact that this time's technology is pretty much the same as ours which is very weird in itself?" – Her eyes went back towards the screen and her frown got even deeper.

– "The design is basic" – Aria continued – "Easy to use even to a newbie in this. As Sacred is saying, someone wanted something in here found. I just need to know what." – Quistis didn't even look up as she went through the files as quickly as she could.

– "If you want to hide something" – The instructor said calmly – "Hide it in plain view." – Another folder was placed aside – "Search the most commonly used pathways. Should be an historical in there somewhere." – Aria's fingers stopped for a moment and her frown disappeared.

– "Quis, you're a freaking genius" – She smiled openly to the older girl, as she continued her work, only to freeze completely when she found her objective.

– "Holy shit! They left a bloody VIDEO behind? Are they complete morons?" – Her rant brought the group's whole attention to her and in seconds the computer was surrounded by the seven warriors.

– "Play it" – Commanded Squall. The Enter button was pressed slowly and the screen turned black for a moment before showing a brown haired, blue eyed woman. She seemed young" between twenty-five and thirty at most" and was wearing something that seemed too much like Balamb Garden's Seed uniform.

– "Is that damned thing working already?" – She asked obviously in a really rotten mood. Someone they couldn't see sighed in frustration.

– "Yes Karen" – A man's voice answered soothingly – "Now do begin and try to keep the cursing out of the phrases." – Ariadne raised her head to Quistis and smirked.

– "Reminds you of someone?" – The instructor rolled her eyes before the girl on the screen captured her attention once more.

– "Hold your chocobos will you?" – She passed a hand through her short hair in an automatic movement that spoke of great tension – "I am not really sure of why we are doing this" – She was now speaking to the camera. – "But nevertheless we still have some hope that if someone gets here it will find this before you find the bitch" – Another sigh that was as ignored as the first had been.

– "My name is Karen Pryce and I'm one of the last Seeds still stationed in Seya's castle, location Centra. And none of us will be here come tomorrow." – Her voice was strained as she spoke, weariness passing through every inch of her expression.

– "We are the last line of defence and worn at that. Our Commander ordered us to retreat at exactly two hours ago and with this the castle will be at her mercy. As if she had any." – She rolled her eyes presumably to the man behind the camera before continuing.

– "To those you actually manage to get in here you should be warned that any type of magic is blocked inside the castle and even whatever connections you have with your guardian forces will temporarily shut down. As for our unit we will be taking the guard in Esthar. We can only hope that the shield that she placed on our GFs will be broken soon. Or else I fear we won't survive this." – Aria felt Sacred and Minotaur jump to attention when they heard that. One mystery had already been solved. Relief flowed through her and not only from them.

– "Forgetting that" – Karen waved a hand dismissively – "We have left here a very complete map that will help you getting out of here. It possesses one of our last energy sensors. Red means the higher demons, blue the lesser and bitch is black" – She looked at what apparently was the map, a small rectangular sensor like device, with a disgusted glance.

– "I still say the last one is way too cliché." – Somehow the group understood that anymore of that and the man behind the camera would have an apoplexy. – "Anyways the password is Still alive and well…oh hell. Good luck to you all." – She rose from the chair placing the devise on the bottom of a drawer.

– "Now turn that thing off Nate. I am going to kill the Commander for making me do this…" - The video ended leaving a group of very confused Seeds. Ariadne raised an eyebrow, eyes still locked with the screen.

– "If Gaea is being defended by them then I fear for the future" – She said dryly. – "Anyone found that little piece of technology? Or the ones that tried to hide this place found it already?" – The Galbadian watched for a moment as they walked away to search for the device before turning her attention once more to the computer. In an unconscious movement Aria activated a search program and typed an entry…Bearer…

- "Someone who bears something. A carrier." – She groaned inwardly before banging her head on the desk.

– "I look for answers and get a bloody dictionary. Really helpful." – A small hand grabbed her forehead before she hit it again.

– "I don't think you should continue that Aria" – Said Rinoa's voice with an amused tinge – "You ok?" – Ariadne sighed loudly before placing her head on her hand.

– "I'm lost in the future, about to fight a sorceress and don't have a fucking clue if and when I going back home. Oh, I'm just peachy." – Rinoa chuckled before sobering. Her dark brown eyes seemed to be trying to read her as she knelt.

– "There's something else on your mind, isn't it?" – She asked softly.

– "I have to be painfully obvious" – Ariadne thought as she looked at the girl – "Next thing I know I'll have Zell playing shrink. Please Hyne, don't drop that nightmare on me" – A small smile appeared on her lips.

– "Make it a list and then maybe you'll get the gist of it. Believe me. It's that bad." – Rinoa smiled sadly.

– "Don't worry about it so much, Aria." – She whispered – "If we keep worrying about the future we'll forget the present."

– "Cause the present is a oh-so-wonderful time right now" – Completed Aria with a smirk – "Yeah. You're right." – She stood from the chair, stretching her aching muscles.

– "We better go then" – A grin showed on Rinoa's face before she left Aria behind to shut the computer down. The Galbadian watched as the other girl joined the rest of her companions, watched their reactions…

- "Why couldn't she be someone I could hate?" – None of her guardians had an answer.

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Well, everyone I'll end it here this week. Once more I am sorry for the delay and I can promise that next week this will not happen as the exams will be finally over and I'll enter hibernation during a few days. The rest will find me at the computer, cinema, bars, beach, meaning everything that does not require much work. As I don't get tire of stressing please REVIEW to let me know what you are thinking of the story. Words from other readers are most welcome for a fanfic writer as I am sure all of you know. So REVIEW!

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Next chapter: Conversations and a search for future and past knowledge…

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See ya all next Thursday

Reyavie