Fade With Me

Chapter 4

Guadosalam was a lot different than I remembered it to be. There were definitely more Guado inhabitants, and the whole town seemed less welcoming than the last time I was there. It was kind of freaking me out a little bit.

I couldn't quite place what the main difference was, but it was there. Braska and his guardians didn't seem to notice, though. If anything, they were more excited than I'd seen them in the past two days. Then again, that was probably because they will finally get to sleep in an inn instead of on the hard, uncomfortable ground.

And this is where they were escorting me, so now they don't have to deal with me anymore…

I sighed heavily. I didn't want us to go our separate ways. They were the only people that it was safe to be around in this time period. But how could I possibly get them to let me stay with them?

"Isn't the scenery here truly beautiful?" Braska commented with a smile.

"It's got nuthin' on Zanarkand!" Jecht proclaimed. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and squeezed me to him. "Where I'm from, there are tons of buildings everywhere with lights shining on the city all day and night. Whenever I play blitzball for the Zanark-"

Jecht was cut off by a forceful jab in his gut, causing him to let go of his grip on my shoulders. All the air whooshed out of his lungs, and he looked accusingly at Auron, who turned to him sharply to mutter something in his ear. I figured it probably had something to do with Jecht not being allowed to talk about the Dream Zanarkand because then, normal Spirans would think he was really crazy.

Well, I wasn't a normal Spiran…and I already knew he wasn't lying. But, I decided to play dumb. "What were you saying about Zanarkand before you were so rudely interrupted, Jecht?"

Auron shot a glare in my direction, and Braska walked over to intervene. "Auron, let Jecht finish." He added in a lower voice, "I am curious to see how Rikku will respond."

I probably wasn't meant to hear that part. Oh, well.

Jecht nodded with a familiar smirk. It was one of the smirks that I saw him wear in a bunch of the spheres that Tidus and I found while we were traveling together. "You bet!" He turned to me again. "Well, I was pretty much sayin' that my Zanarkand is a sight for sore eyes compared to this place."

"What do you mean, your Zanarkand?" I queried, tilting my head to the side slightly.

Jecht scratched the stubble on his chin in hesitance. "I'm…not from around here, kid."

"You mean, the Zanarkand you're from is different from the Zanarkand here?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Uh, yeah," Jecht replied. "And I'm the star player of the Zanarkand Abes!" He pumped his fist in the air. "I bet the team is doin' pretty bad without me there to win every game for them…" he added as an afterthought.

I laughed. He sounded a bit like Tidus at that moment. "Yeah, Jecht, I'm sure they are."

Jecht whipped his head in my direction, blinking his eyes incredulously. "You believe I'm from a different Zanarkand?"

I tried my hardest not to let any of the laughter that was bubbling inside me burst out. He's asking me, someone who got sent spiraling into the past, if I believed that he was from a different Zanarkand? They don't know I'm from the future, but still…Even if I didn't already know that there was a dream Zanarkand, I would've had to believe him. If I didn't, then I couldn't possibly be here right now!…Which I am…so…

"I sure do!" I skipped over to him and patted him on the shoulder. "I've seen and heard my fair share of weird things in my life. Almost all of them have turned out to be true, so why shouldn't I believe you? Plus, you have no reason to lie, I don't think."

Jecht shrugged. "I dunno." He cracked another smirk. "Hey, Braska! Does this mean I can tell more people 'bout where I'm from? I bet they're all dying to hear the stories I could-"

"No," Braska cut him off. "I'm surprised Rikku believed you so easily." He looked at me with disbelief lining his expression. "You really are an interesting girl, Rikku."

I couldn't hold back the blush that spread to my cheeks. "T-Thanks…?" Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

"I regret that we have to part ways here," Braska remarked. He turned his back on us and started to walk towards one of the inns, but he was unexpectedly cut off by a Guado.

"My Lord Summoner!" The Guado bowed down respectfully. "It is the pleasure of all of Guadosalam to have you grace us with your presence."

"We are only passing through," Auron shot down the Guado's kindness with his gruff response.

The Guado looked surprised. "But surely you wish to visit the Farplane before you make your way into the Thunder Plains! And I must insist that you rest at the inn, as well."

"That is exactly what we were planning on doing," Auron retorted. "Ourselves."

The Guado didn't back down. "Are you sure you do not wish to have one of us escort you to the Farplane? We could enlighten you in the history of Guadosalam on the way, if you desire."

"No, we-" Auron began.

"That would be lovely," said Braska. "Thank you very much…I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?"

The Guado chuckled and bowed again. "My apologies, Lord Summoner. I am called Tromell."

At that moment, Tromell made direct eye contact with me, and to my surprise, it sent shivers down my spine. That Guado is up to something…again.

---X---X---X---X---X---

Tromell dropped us off at the entrance of the inn, promising to bring us to the Farplane first thing tomorrow morning. I couldn't bring myself to tell my new friends that I didn't even want to go inside the pyrefly-infested place. I still wanted to be near them, though, so I kept my mouth shut.

"You comin' to the Bardane with us tomorrow, Rikku?" Jecht asked conversationally.

Auron brushed past us. "It's the Farplane, Jecht." He looked back at me. "And I was under the impression that we were going our separate ways after we escorted you here. Don't you have other places you could be right now?"

I cleared my throat. "Not really…" I mumbled weakly.

"Cut her some slack, Auron," Jecht laughed. "She's just a kid."

I craned my neck to look at him, appalled. "I am not a kid!" Auron laughed from ahead of us.

"What is so funny?" I asked him.

"You."

I crossed my arms. "I'm not trying to be funny!" Sayhea!!!

Braska and Jecht exchanged glances. I noticed, but didn't pay any attention to it.

Auron shook his head. "That is where the humor lies." He stopped walking when we reached the counter of the inn. "How much is it for a night's stay?"

"200 gil," the person behind the counter replied.

"What a rip-off," I heard Jecht murmur from next to me. He turned to me again. "Do you have any gil, kid?"

"Jecht!" Braska chided with an authoritative tone in his voice.

Jecht raised his hands in the air in confusion. "What? I was just seein' if she had any spare gil!"

I smiled softly. I wasn't easily offended when it came to gil. "Sorry, I don't. If I did, I would definitely share it with you guys after everything you did for me, though!"

"Why are you in here if you don't have any gil?" Auron grunted.

Good question…Am I just expecting them to let me room with them, or something? What was I thinking!? I mentally berated myself.

Braska gently put his hand on my shoulder. "It would be my pleasure to pay for your night's stay at this inn."

"We don't have that much gil left, my lord!" Auron intervened. "This inn only has one double-bed per room. It would cost us 100 gil per person to stay here!"

Braska sighed. "It is not a problem that we need to fuss over, Auron."

Auron shook his head violently. "Well, I do not wish to room with her, then."

Why do you hate me so much, Auron…?

I didn't know what I had done to make him so hateful and spiteful towards me. I shook my head. This was Auron. He just wanted to complete the pilgrimage and be on his merry little way. I'm probably slowing them down, so he resents me for it. Right?

"She can room with me!" Jecht stretched exaggeratedly and sprawled his arms over my shoulder again. I giggled nervously. Jecht was a decent guy, I supposed, but sharing a room with him?!

"Um…" I began.

"Nonsense," Braska brushed Jecht's suggestion away. "Rikku will room with Auron, and I will room with you, Jecht. That is most logical, I believe."

"What!?" Auron and my surprised voice resounded together throughout the entire lobby of the inn.

---X---X---X---X---X---

I heard Auron slam the door shut behind me. Taking a deep, calming breath, I dared to ask, "Why don't you want to share a room with me?"

Auron sighed and shook his head. "It is of no importance now."

I rolled my eyes. He's so difficult. I glanced around the room, and my jaw dropped when my eyes fell upon the bed. It was tiny. Well, it was large enough for two people, but it would probably be a snug fit. Seeing that suddenly made me incredibly nervous, and I wasn't completely sure why. I'd had to room with the future Auron every now and then along Yunie's pilgrimage and, sure, I got a little nervous. I had a crush on him! But it was never this bad. Maybe there are still some leftover feelings for Auron…? But why? He's not exactly acting in a way that should make me like him!"

Auron walked past the bed and grabbed a pillow off of it. He examined it, then threw it on the floor to the side of the bed. "I will sleep on the floor."

My eyes widened. I was really surprised…and a little hurt. "You don't have to, ya know!" Guilt crept up on me. He shouldn't have to sleep on the floor just because he didn't want to share a bed with me. He wouldn't get as good of a night's sleep as he possibly could. "I could sleep on the fl-"

"No," he interrupted me. "It is fine." He unlatched his belt from around his waist, tossing it to the ground. Then, he took off his cloak and threw it over the unused dresser in the corner of the room.

I was shocked that he so easily discarded his clothing, but then I realized that he was still wearing his black pants and his chest plate. I looked down at my yellow bikini and green skirt, and sighed. What I wouldn't give for a nice, warm pair of comfy pajamas right now!

I watched as Auron laid down on the floor next to the bed, and I couldn't ignore the sudden pull that was settling in on my chest. I shivered, but I didn't think it had anything to do with being cold. Taking a deep breath, I shook my head a few times to clear my head, then I jumped into the small bed. I tugged the sheets up to my chin and muttered timidly, "Good night, Auron."

A few moments passed by and I assumed that he had already fallen asleep, but then, I heard a quiet murmur break the silence. "Good night."

---X---X---X---X---X---

A white light was enveloping me entirely again. It was familiar, but it didn't ease the uncomfortable, foreboding feeling I had. "Are you here, Baathum?" I wondered aloud.

A youthful laugh came from close by. Shortly after, Baathum faded into visibility within the white light. "Yes." He took a few steps toward me until we were face to face. Well, as "face to face" as we could be considering our height difference, and his lack of actually showing his whole face. "I assume you have many questions for me." It was a statement, not a question.

I laughed sarcastically. "Uh, yeah! I do!"

Baathum smirked amusedly. "Feel free to ask."

At the unexpected, open invitation to finally getting some answers, multitudes of questions flooded into my brain. I wasn't sure which question I should ask first. "Um…okay. Why did you choose me to go on this mission?"

Baathum shook his head slowly. "That is not the correct one to ask right now, Rikku. Think of the most important question of all."

My brows furrowed. He just told me to feel free to ask any question! "Huh? Okay, uh, am I supposed to stay with Braska and his guardians?"

The young boy smiled softly. "Yes. That is precisely what you are meant to do."

I violently shook my head in bewilderment. "But why? I don't understand what I'm supposed to do on this mission! Why am I stuck in the past?!" Baathum was beginning to blend into the blankets of white again. "No! Don't you dare leave me yet, mister!"

"Everything will be clear to you eventually, Rikku. Until then, you must remain strong and continue on with this mission." He was barely visible to me now, even though I was squinting as hard as I could to make out his silhouette. "Most importantly, you mustn't tell anyone that you are from the future. That could have devastating repercussions." Then, he completely vanished.

My throat felt tight and my breathing was ragged. I won't cry. I will not! Dropping down to my knees, I buried my face in my hands. This is all just one, horrible nightmare! When I open my eyes, I'll be back in Bikanel with Pops and Brother!

I rubbed my eyes harshly and then slowly removed my hands from my face. What I saw when I opened my eyes completely astounded me. It was Home! And it looked better than it ever had before. The rebuilding and renovation must have finally been complete. I stood up and spun around a few times to let out some of my excess excitement. "I knew I was just dreaming!"

I started to run towards Home as fast as I could. "This feels so good!" I'd always loved to run. With Home in my line of vision, running towards something never felt any better. Finally, after about five minutes of full-out sprinting, I was right at Home's entrance. Something struck me as odd, though. Ever since Home came into view, I hadn't heard anything or seen any Al Bhed around me. "I bet they're all awaiting my return inside!" I convinced myself. Taking a deep breath, I forced open the main doors.

I had to slap both hands over my mouth to keep myself from screaming bloody murder. In the main entryway of Home, there were bodies of Al Bhed scattered everywhere, with splotches of blood lining the floor around them. Tears welled into my eyes. What could have happened here!? An invisible fist squeezed all the life out of my already aching heart when I saw a familiar Al Bhed's body. "P-Pops!?" I dashed towards him. The waterfall of tears streaming down my cheeks couldn't be stopped at that point, even if I tried.

Dropping down to my knees next to my father, I grasped his hand firmly. It was frigidly cold…and his face was deathly pale, as well. "V-Vydran!" I cried out. "What happened to you!?" No response. He was dead, along with every other Al Bhed around me. And for some reason, I felt like it was my fault.

Sobs shook my entire body brutally and I didn't have the power to stand up. I wished I could just lay down next to Pops…and die. I felt so alone. So sad. So guilty.

Is…this still a dream? "Baathum!? Are you t-trying to tell me that this is gonna happen if I don't finish your stupid mission?" I shrieked. "T-That's cruel!" I pulled my knees to my chest and started to rock back and forth. "Please just take me Home…the real Home! Not this stupid, nightmare Home!" I glanced at Pops and shuddered, sending a fresh wave of tears to explode over the surface. "P-Please…"

---X---X---X---X---X---

Please…

I wondered what that strange sensation was. It felt like I was being spun in a million different directions while free-falling. My head felt heavy. I was starting to get really dizzy, even though my eyes were shut. Maybe Baathum's finally bringing me back to the future?

The sensation didn't stop. If anything, it got more forceful and incessant. "Rikku," a hard voice called.

My eyelids felt heavy too. Maybe it was from all those tears…? I still couldn't open my eyes.

"Rikku!" the voice all but commanded. "Wake up!" Huh? Hands were gripping my shoulders and shaking my whole body. "Rikku, you must wake up!" the voice tried again.

So it was a nightmare…

I cracked open one eye carefully, testing the light. The room was fairly dim, but some rays of sunlight were poking through the closed blinds of the windows. I opened my other eye, and I finally noticed that there was a person sitting on the side of my bed…leaning over me…with his hands grasping my shoulders. He looked kind of concerned.

"A-Auron?" I stuttered in surprise. "Uh, what are you doing?" So, I'm still in the past. Shoot! Please don't let me have been talking in my sleep again! Please…!?

Auron released my shoulders from his grip, but he didn't move an inch from his position on the bed. "You were having a nighmare." There was a tiny bit of surprise in his mostly monotonous voice. "So I tried to awaken you."

I smacked my hand to my forehead and groaned. "What time is it? Oh, I hope I didn't wake you up!" I bolted upright in the bed and looked at him urgently. "I didn't, right!?"

Auron glanced out the window for a second. "It is shortly after dawn." He looked at me again. "And you did not wake me up. I was just preparing my supplies for the day when I heard you crying." His forehead creased. "What was your dream about?"

Does he actually care?

"I don't remember exactly," I lied smoothly. "There may've been some Yevonites in there somewhere, though, I think." Being this close to Auron, in bed, was not helping my nerves in any way. I shuddered.

Auron sneered. I was just about ready to retaliate and call him a meanie, but then he replied, "Yevonites are reason enough for a nightmare. I do not blame you." He looked down at his hands. "And I apologize for being so cruel about what happened to you and your brother the other day with the Yevonites. That was unnecessary."

I was confused. He just apologized…and he was comforting me. Why?

I ignored his apology, getting right down to heart of the matter. "You sound like you have some sort of a past with Yevon. Wanna share?" I figured that maybe since Auron was nice enough to comfort me, he could be nice enough to open up a little bit. The future Auron never exactly opened up to me on the pilgrimage. Now was my chance!

"It is a long story," he put simply. My face fell. There goes that… "Maybe I can share it with you some other time."

My eyes widened. Or not…? "Sure," I mumbled.

He nodded and got up from the bed. I finally noticed that he was fully dressed, ready to go. Same old Auron, I thought again with a smirk.

"Is it time for me to get up?" I asked.

Auron shook his head. "We still have a few hours before Tromell arrives." He spit out the Guado's name with disgust.

I blinked a few times. "Do you not like Tromell?" I didn't understand.

Auron shook his head again. "It is not him that I dislike. It is men who act like him." He rubbed his temples with his forefinger and thumb. "He is acting in a way that makes me believe that there must be something in it for him. He's planning something." Auron crossed his arms. "I do not trust him."

Neither do I! "Hmm," was all I voiced, though.

"You should go back to sleep," Auron suggested, changing the subject entirely. "One of us will wake you in two hours."

I nodded silently as he approached the door. He paused when his hand touched the doorknob, as though he had something else to say. But then he hmmphed and walked out the door.

"Auron of the future. Auron of the past." I smiled softly. "You never cease to confuse me."

---X---X---X---X---X---

Tromell's voice became a dull, querulous, jumble of words to me. He was going on and on about famous Guado, the history of their town, and the Farplane. I didn't really care to hear any of it. I just wished he would leave us alone and let Braska and his guardians visit the Farplane on their own.

There was one thing that I was curious about, though. "Hey, is there a young boy named Seymour who lives here?" I asked when there was a break in Tromell and Braska's conversation.

Tromell stopped walking and stared at me with an unreadable look. "The business of young master Seymour does not concern the likes of you!"

I was taken aback by his hostility. Wrapping my arms around myself in embarrassment, I managed to stammer out, "I'm sorry…?"

Jecht had a dumbfounded expression on his face, and he was looking from Tromell to me, then back again. Auron was staring at Tromell with his arms crossed. He didn't say anything either. Braska cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together to try to ease the sudden tension that was surrounding us.

"Well, friend," Braska addressed the Guado, placing his hand on Tromell's shoulder in a kind motion. "I see the pathway leading to the Farplane is just ahead. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality," Braska bowed. "We shall depart to the Thunder Plains after our visit to the Farplane," he explained. "So if we do not cross paths again, I would like you to know that we appreciate what you have done for us during our stay in Guadosalam."

Tromell waved his hands in front of himself, shaking his head slowly. "No thanks are necessary, my lord summoner." Tromell bowed again. "It was my pleasure." He straightened himself upright, and sent an odd look in my direction once more. Then, he turned and left.

After the Guado disappeared from view, Jecht whistled obnoxiously. "What a weird guy."

Braska looked at me with the same, gentle smile that Yunie had whenever she'd comfort me about something. "Guado are very reserved when it comes to their private matters. Do not take his reaction personally, Rikku."

I put on a fake smile. "Yeah, sure. For a minute there, I thought he just didn't like me for some reason!" I joked.

"Why would he dislike you?" Auron surprised me by entering the conversation with that deep, resonant voice of his.

"Uh, maybe because I'm Al Bhed?" I offered.

No one made any move to reply. They probably knew that my rationale could possibly be right, but they didn't say anything to suggest otherwise.

Braska sighed. "Let's go to the Farplane, shall we?"

"Yeah!" Jecht seemed anxious. "You guys say that all dead people go to the Farplane?"

"Only those that are sent," Braska clarified.

"Hmm," Jecht scratched his chin in thought.

Auron started to walk up the stairs to the entrance. "Are you expecting to see someone you know?" he asked.

Jecht shrugged. "Not sure." He scratched the back of his head in brief hesitance, then followed Auron.

Braska walked up the first few stairs, but noticing the fact that I wasn't following them, he turned around with a bewildered look on his face. "Are you going to be joining us, Rikku?" Jecht and Auron stopped ascending the stairs to turn and face me too.

I bit my lip, not sure what I should say. "U-Um…memories are nice, but I'd rather keep mine inside." I took a seat on the first step. "You guys go ahead. I'll wait for you to come back out so I can…say goodbye before you go to the Thunder Plains."

Braska opened his mouth to say something, but cut himself off my shaking his head. "If you are positive. Please wait for us here, would you?" He seemed troubled when he turned back around to walk up the stairs.

"Sure!" I promised them, leaning back on the stairs to relax. Once I was positive that they had entered the land of the pyreflies, I let out a huge sigh. "How on Spira am I supposed to convince them to let me stay with them!? Baathum said that I was supposed to!" I groaned. "I'm fresh out of awesome ideas!" I started to tap my fingers against the surface of the steps. It was a nervous habit that I'd always had. "Maybe I could tell Uncle Braska that I'm his niece from the future." Baathum's final warning came drifting back to mind. There was something in there about devastating repercussions. "Kay, so that's not the best plan, then…"

Echoes of voices began to reverberate through the path leading to where I was sitting. It sounded like a large group. And they were Guado voices. I stood up, shaky on my feet. I had a bad feeling that they were here because of me.

The group of Guado came into view around the corner, Tromell leading the way. He pointed to me with disgust. "That is her." All the Guado's pairs of eyes were fixed on me now.

What?

"I told you that Al Bhed did not venture into the Farplane!" He motioned for the others to follow him, and they all closed in on me. I looked around for any chances of escape, but the only one that I could think of was the Farplane behind me. Sensing my distress, Tromell laughed darkly. "You wouldn't dare go inside, and you know it."

He's right…

The eight Guado had me cornered, and I panicked. "What do you want with me!?" I hoped I sounded braver than I felt. Eight against one wasn't exactly the fairest of odds. "I haven't done anything-"

"Yet!" one of the Guado cut me off. "We know your kind. You have no right to be journeying with a summoner."

Tromell sneered, "You are nothing but a liar, you heathen." Two Guado grabbed my arms in vice-like grips. I struggled to get free. "We know exactly what to do with you."

I didn't think I had ever felt so much rage built up inside of me. They were criticizing everything that I stood for…and I could only assume that they were going to kill me for being Al Bhed.

They had managed to drag me halfway back to Guadosalam when my fury became too much. For leverage, I pulled down on the Guado's arms that were holding me, and I jumped up, kicking both of the Guado in their faces. They stumbled back a few paces, clutching their noses in pain. "I don't think so!" I pulled out my daggers and got into my battle stance.

Tromell turned around in surprise. He had been leading the way back to their town, and must have missed the exchange between me and my captors.

"Betcha didn't expect that!" I giggled. My two captors came charging back at me, anger marring their features. I slashed the first one across his face, then kicked him in his gut with as much force as I could muster. With the next guy, I elbowed him in his already tender nose, emitting a satisfying crunch. He grabbed his nose in pain again, and I took his brief distraction to my advantage by roundhouse kicking him in the side of the head. Both of my captors were now unconscious.

No matter how angry I felt, I couldn't bring myself to kill, even though they were surely kill me if they were given the opportunity. Fiends, were an entirely different story, but an living person? No. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I crouched down into my battle stance once more, ready for the next challenger. One Guado took my bait and came swiping at me with his long, sharp fingers. I grabbed his arms after dodging his attack, and flipped behind him, still holding onto his now twisted arms. He howled in pain, but I ignored it, pulling his arms even farther back to draw his body closer to me. When he was close enough, I slammed my knee into the most vulnerable part of his spine, instantly causing him to fall unconscious.

I hope I didn't paralyze him, I thought as I let go of my hold on his arms. He fell to a heap on the ground.

"What is the meaning of this!?" an enraged voice came from the direction of the Farplane.

Tromell's eyes widened and he looked shocked to see such an intrusion. I turned to the direction that the voice came from, and the sight shocked me as well. Braska and his guardians were facing us, each with their own furious look on their faces.

Braska was a few paces ahead of Jecht and Auron. His fists were balled together, shaking.

Jecht had his arms crossed. He was smirking, though, and I was sure that he was probably itching to get into a fight.

Auron had his katana drawn, resting on his shoulder in a menacing way. He was sending a murderous glower in Tromell's direction.

Note to self: Never make Braska or his guardians really mad!

"Answer the summoner, Tromell," Auron spat out.

Tromell sputtered around for a response for a few moments. After seeing Braska and his guardians walk closer to us, he voiced, "I believe there has been a misunderstanding, my lord." He walked over to stand next to me and placed his spindly fingers on my shoulders. I shivered at his disgusting touch, shrugging his hand away while glaring at him. "We were simply escorting this young lady back to Guadosalam. We did not want her to sit on those uncomfortable steps by herself for a long period of time. I was going to have her await your return in my residence."

Yccruma! I thought bitterly.

"Care to explain why your friends are unconscious, then?" Auron asked, motioning to the Guado that I had knocked out.

Braska approached me, reaching for my arms. "Or why Rikku has gashes from her forearms down to her hands?" He gently grabbed my right arm, producing a hiss of pain from me. I hadn't noticed that my arms were all scratched up. I was too focused on getting away from the cruel Guado to notice that every time I struggled in their clutches, their sharp nails dug even deeper into my skin.

"Do you take us for idiots?" Jecht growled. "This is no misunderstandin'!"

Auron brought his katana down in front of himself, grasping it tightly. "If there is one thing that I cannot tolerate, it is discrimination."

"We have already had enough of that on this pilgrimage already," Braska said. He rested his hand on the small of my back in a comforting gesture.

Tromell's blinked rapidly, looking at Braska and his guardians in confusion. "I do not understand, my lord."

"I was married to an Al Bhed, Tromell," Braska explained. "Every single derogatory comment towards her or our marriage was a direct hit to my heart. My new friend, Rikku," he smiled at me softly, "is no different."

I gasped at the sincerity of his words. How can Uncle Braska always be so kindhearted? I guess Yunie got it from no stranger…

Braska's face became stern once more. "I believe that this is where we shall part ways, Tromell." He gave my back a light push in the direction of Guadosalam. "Please excuse us." Braska, with his arms still draped around my back, brushed past all of the Guado, Jecht and Auron taking up the rear.

Once we reached the pathway leading to the Thunder Plains, Braska stopped walking and looked at me. His face was lined with concern. "Are you positive you are alright, Rikku? They did not harm you other than the wounds on your arms, correct?" he asked, examining my body for further injuries.

I smiled, waving away his worries. "Pfft, I'm fine! Those Guado couldn't hurt me if they tried!" I crossed my arms triumphantly, biting my lip to ignore the stinging pain that was caused from my thoughtless action.

"They did harm you," Auron grunted, pointing at my arms.

I looked at the opposing injury briefly. "Yeah," I admitted. "But I can take care of myself just fine! Did you see those Guado on the ground?" I gave them a toothy grin.

Auron surprised me by cracking a small smile. A very small smile. "So I saw."

Light flashed from a bolt of lightning way down the path to the Plains. I gulped anxiously. I still haven't thought of a way to stay with them yet!

"Well, I guess we'll be seein' ya, kid!" Jecht ruffled my hair, then started to walk down the pathway.

"Farewell," Auron murmured before following Jecht.

I was surprised to see that Braska was still standing next to me. He was deep in thought and it looked like he was debating with himself over something.

"Braska?" I asked soothingly.

"Wait," Braska demanded. Both of his guardians instantly turned around at their summoner's sudden command.

"What's up, Braska?" Jecht wondered. He and Auron had walked back to where Braska and I were standing.

"I have been thinking," Braska stated.

"And…?" Jecht pressed, leaning towards his summoner a little bit.

Braska smiled at me again. "Rikku, how would you feel about becoming one of my guardians?"

My jaw dropped. Why didn't I think of that!?

"You impressed me with how you defended yourself against the Guado back there…and you have been nothing but a joy to be around ever since I have met you," Braska continued. "So, what do you say?"

"I-I would be honored!" I exclaimed, unable to conceal my glee.

Jecht looked surprised at Braska's suggestion. "Huh?" His brows were furrowed in confusion.

Auron was staring at Braska with an skeptical look on his face. "…Braska?" He turned to me. "Are you sure this is what you wish to do?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "I'm absolutely positive!" I've done it once before!...I can do it again!

Auron nodded. "Fine, then. Let us make haste, though," he advised. "We are behind on our schedule."

Braska chuckled lightheartedly. "How many times do I have to tell you, Auron? There is no need for such a rush. The pilgrimage will be complete when it is complete," he said simply.

Jecht clapped Auron on the back, laughing. "Yeah, chill!"

I couldn't contain my smile. I was so elated that things were beginning to work out in my favor. I desperately wanted to go back to the future, but I figured that if I was going to be stuck in the past, I might as well be with these three men.

Thunder Plains, here I come.

I might have to face some obstacles along the way, but it'll all work out in the end.

Right?

---X---X---X---X---X---

Disclaimer: I don't own FFX

Translations:

Sayhea=Meanie

Yccruma=Asshole

A/N:

Yaay! Longest chappie so far!! Hope y'all enjoyed it! ;)

I worked on it a bit during my eight hour road trip over Thanksgiving break. (No, not while I was driving! XD)

Speaking of which, I hope everybody had an AWESOME Thanksgiving!!

I know I did! *drools at the sight of turkey*

Anyway, I would LOOOVE some reviews!

I was a little bit iffy with the way this chappie turned out, so I'm curious to hear whatcha think!

As always, THANKS FOR READING!!! =) =) =)

-koalababay