Rikku and Auron prepare for the battle and then Yuna makes her final stop - Anima's temple, but finds herself blocked by a familiar foe.

While most of this chapter is untouched (other than grammar/sentence structure) the conversation with Baralai has been heavily edited and now reads very differently. Work is so busy so only one chapter this week.

Thank you for the follows/reviews (it means so much).

italics = denotes thought or memory

Not Mine

A Proposal

Yuna finished her dance and her staff fell for the last time, the pyreflies finally flying off to the Farplane where they would find their rest. The room filled with silence as all looked down at the floor where the bodies had been. Each trying to come to grips with what had transpired and how they would deal with it in their own ways. Lulu had yet to notice that she had again slipped into Nooj's arms. Dance finished Yuna looked up at the two of them, "Let's go."

A glance around the room and Lulu stared at her, "What about Wakka?" she asked.

She hadn't wanted to answer questions about Wakka this soon so with Lulu asking her Yuna found herself in a position that she didn't quite want to be in. What about Wakka? He was her friend, he had been there for her, helped her and Lulu in times when thing seemed most dire. But now… he was in a dark place, the same dark place Yuna knew that she could end up in. He had given himself first to the government and then to the very heart of darkness itself.

Trying to gauge what Yuna's answer would be Lulu watched as Yuna's face creased, lines that shouldn't be there appearing above her forehead. Yuna had aged too much, and at some point Lulu wondered when she would cross the line and age to the point where all that was left of her was an empty husk. One her age shouldn't grow up so fast. Lulu knew that every time she looked in the mirror and saw her own reflection. She had been a guardian at age ten, first protecting her sister who had became a lady, and then protecting a man who never finished fulfilling his destiny. Both failures, both dead. So she knew what it was to grow up too fast, having to take charge when one didn't want to. And she wanted none of that for Yuna, someone who was like a sister to her.

Nooj saved Yuna from having to speak on something she didn't want to, and saving Lulu from painful memories of her dead sister in the cave where only ghosts could hear you scream, "We wait. When the time comes, only then will we make our choice."

Seemingly satisfied with this answer all three left the temple to seek the airship they had found their home in. Yuna pulled out the com that Cid had given her and flipped it open. On the other end Cid's voice crackled to life, "Cid here."

When Yuna spoke her voice was tired, and yet it held an unimaginable strength to it, "Hello uncle. We're ready to leave now.'

"On my way."

The line went dead and soon a roaring sound was heard above the plains. The airship came bearing down on them and they cleared the way as the ramp was lowered. Inside Yuna saw all those whom they had picked up during the journey gathered and waiting, and joined them stepping up the ramp and into the sky fortress that protected them. Finally inside she slumped down in the chair while those around her waited for her to speak, as they knew she did after each mission. Looking up at all of them Yuna finally spoke, "We have one more Aeon."

For those who had not gone with her - it was both warming and disheartening at the same time, Yuna was getting closer to the end but what that end would be none knew. Rikku let out a gigantic sigh. Behind her even Auron seemed to relax his entire frame seemingly more at ease than its normally rigid state, "That's good right?" Rikku inquired.

Yuna turned to Rikku, "Yes and no, we still have no idea what to do with Tidus, what I have to do."

"Wadaya mean? All we need is one more and then we can, we can…"

Rikku stopped short realizing fully what Yuna meant, one more Aeon and then they would have to fight Tidus, one more Aeon and then she would have to make up her mind about whether Tidus lived or died. There would no longer be anymore thinking, or planning, that would be it. The final confrontation loomed ahead larger and more daunting than ever.

Silence seeped into the room at what Rikku's ramblings had revealed to the party. Whatever was left of the final part of the journey, the easy part, was over. Yuna had to make a choice, and she had to make her choice now. Yuna looked up at them with steadfast eyes, they betrayed no emotion, and yet spoke depths, "I know." Her voice was a whisper and could hardly be heard, "So far I have been leading you with no direction, but Sin is our enemy. We will fight and if it comes to that… it will come to that."

Lulu spoke then, "And what of Wakka?" repeating her question from before.

Turning her head to look at Lulu Paine voiced what everyone else was thinking, "What about Wakka?"

"Wakka was taken over by a force that came from my body. I think it was Yu Yevon. I do not want to consider him our enemy, and it hurts to do so yet that is what it feels he is. Nooj is right, we must pray and wait." Yuna said.

Rikku was the next to speak, "And Gippal? What of him?" somehow in the chaos he had slunk off.

"He left, said that his big project took priority." Paine informed the group.

For a while Yuna didn't speak, after absorbing this information she looked at Rikku, "Then we go on without him as we had before."

Silence scattered through the room at what Yuna had said, if any of them left she would not look back - she would not come for them. Her mission had hardened her enough to bring her to this point. Auron spoke breaking what could have became a potentially dead moment, "So what now?"

"Now we go and get the final Aeon." Yuna said.

"But, you just got back from the last one, it's too soon." Rikku complained.

"No, it's just time enough. We go now, all of us. Together."

The group seemed startled at this, but they didn't question her. They had sworn to protect her, and that was what they were going to do. Even if it killed them. This was after all the life they had chosen. At this Cid interrupted them, "It will take us a little while to get there. You all have a little bit of time to get ready."

They all stood up and Rikku followed Auron out of the control room and down the long hallway that made up the first floor of the airship. He looked behind him and entered one of the storage rooms Rikku right behind him, "You think she's going to be okay?" Rikku asked.

Busying himself Auron looked behind him, "She'll hold; until this is over she'll hold."

Helping him gather items for the battle that was most likely to follow Rikku equipped herself with her favorite dresspheres and her strongest weapon, the Godhand. In her pouch she put a few potions. While she preoccupied herself about zipping the pouch shut she spoke, "That's good."

At this Auron turned to her his brown eye boring into her, "And you?"

Rikku shrugged, "I'll be fine."

His next move startled her as he hugged her close to his body and brought his mouth down upon hers kissing her. Rikku found herself shocked at first soon relaxed into it letting her smaller body become swept up in his protective embrace. He was so solid - as if he would shrug of everything that came at them, it made her think that she could be weak - just for a little bit. When he pulled away she was breathless both eyes still riveted to his form. And then she hugged him, and wept.

Large sobs wracked her body as she held onto him. Gradually his arms came up around her frame just holding her, she spoke through her tears, "E muja oui"

In a move that stunned her he spoke back, "E muja oui duu"

She looked back up at him through teary eyes, "You always say what I need to hear."

"I am glad that I can offer you comfort." Auron said.

Rikku buried her head in his coat and he kissed the top her head. They stayed like that for a while knowing about the things to come and both fearing them, and waiting for them with a dark sense of foreboding - as if they were standing on a cliff waiting to fall over the edge, "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." Rikku said.

Rikku wiped her tear stained eyes and smiled trying her best not to cry again. Auron continued to hold her, "I do. Don't lie about how you feel again. Yuna's not the only one who's going through a difficult time right now."

Finally feeling steady enough she released herself from Auron's grip and sat down on one of the crates. Rikku looked at Auron, "Okay fine, I'm scared. I don't know what's going to happen to me, to us, to every one. Wakka's gone off the deep end, Yuna's starting to terrify me, and I don't know what to do."

"Believe. And protect, that's all we can do."

The crate creaked as Rikku leaned forward and sighed, "What about you?"

Auron didn't speak for a while, "I'm worried for Yuna's sake. But if this is what she wants to do I won't stop her."

"Even if it kills her? What happens then?"

Looking over at the girl on the crate Auron smiled sadly, "I said I would stand by her to the end. I won't change that."

It wasn't really an answer but Rikku found that she had to accept that. He wasn't the person to give answers about things like that. No one wanted to think about what would happen if Yuna died. She had come close back when summoning the final Aeon and if it happened again, Rikku didn't know what she would do. She supposed she would have to do what Auron said to do - believe in Yuna, protect Yuna. He cousin would always do the same for them. And if it came to Yuna's death, then Rikku would protect her. Even she herself died in the process. It was a scary thought but someone had to do it. And she supposed she was just the right person for the job, "Okay. I'll do it. I'll protect her."

Auron looked like he wanted to say something but he didn't only continued to stare. And then quickly searched through the boxes looking for something. Rikku only sat on and waited.

The ships alarm rang, and before she could run out to Yuna Auron slipped something into the palm of her hand. Glancing down at what he had given her Rikku smiled and nodded once, slipping it in her pouch, a time would come later. It was a promise to be kept if they made it through the battle. Together they traveled down to the control room and found Yuna and everyone else ready and waiting for them.

"So are we ready to go?" Yuna asked.

Rikku piped up, "Why don't I do a head count?"

At that Lulu glided into the room Nooj following behind her like a projective knight, "That won't be necessary. We're all here." she said.

"I don't see Paine." Yuna said.

Lulu's lips pursed, "She's right behind us."

It turned out to be true as Paine appeared behind Lulu right as she finished her sentence. Paine had changed her clothing. She was now wearing white, the symbols of all the Aeon's adorned the long skirt she had on. Small bells surrounded the base and when she walked the let out a harmonious sound, almost as if they played the hymn of the fayth as she walked. Yuna did a double take; it was a far cry from the black hardened clothes that she was used to seeing her friend in. No one said anything as Paine sat down. Cid finally broke the silence, "Well Yuna, where should I wait for you?"

"You're going to get to safety Uncle. Something… something doesn't feel right. We will need our captain when this is all over."

"Then what can I do?"

"Take us to Baaj Temple and then get out of there. It will make me feel better knowing you are ok." Yuna wasn't afraid to guilt trip him a bit.

Cid seemed to understand. Yuna was trying her best to protect them. The airship circled and landed down outside the waterway that lead to the inside of the temple. All the members jumped out and landed on the ground. Once outside Yuna didn't look at who was behind her. She just jumped into the water and trusted that people would follow her. And they did.

As they swam Rikku glanced around her, "There was a big fish last time we were here. Wonder where it is."

Behind her Paine, spoke, "We should be lucky that it's gone."

"Just seemed odd is all." Rikuu commented.

They continued to swim and once they reached the entrance held their breath underwater and ducked inside. What they found had them all staggering back. Rikku clutched on to Auron as a faint dizzying spell came over her. Yuna however had seen this carnage before, and even didn't flinch.

Around them bodies of dead soldiers lay scattered about the area. Only one, in the corner remained alive, and seeing him cause Paine's eyes to narrow. She rushed forward but stopped when she saw the broken light in his eyes. This was not a man who was dangerou, this was a man who had seen a great tragedy and was questioning everything he had ever known. He was staring at all the bodies. His mouth agape, body trembling. Paine kneeled down in front of him, "Baralai?"

He looked up at her, his clothes stained with blood and blinked twice trying to figure where the voice had come from and who it was that was speaking to him, when he realized who it was he shrunk away, suddenly frightened, "Don't touch me."

Paine knew that it was only his fear talking - he had never feared her touch before. Sinspawn or no. Gazing down at Baralai's frightened body she attempted to soothe him, "We're not going to hurt you."

His reply didn't get any better, he folded into himself muttering, "Killer. All those controlled by Sin - killers."

From behind them Nooj looked over the frightened and disturbed man, he knew Baralai well. Had seen the man commit acts that made this one look like child's play. Things that made this act seem small and insignificant. Something must have happened here to shake his faith. And there were very few things that could. He had believed so strongly that Yevon's word was law and those who opposed it were nothing but cannon fodder in the world that was to come, "Let him be for now."

Yuna looked at Auron, "I can't just leave these people."

He knew what she was talking about; Rikku did too, "You're wearing yourself thin!"

Turning to her cousin a sad look on her face Yuna smiled sadly, "Some one has to do something for these people, there are enough fiends in the world some one has to send them to prevent that."

Rikku's face fell, "Do what you have too."

For the second time that day Yuna raised her staff, and lowered it, her body moving in time to a song that only she could hear. The spirits of death calling out to her to join them in dance. Her feet moved back and forth, left and right. Her staff sweeping over all those around her. Body bent back and forth as she twirled. Rising with the unsent music.

Auron felt the song claw at his body, soothing him. And for a second he could feel it - the peace that death offered. Rikku watched him with morbid fascination as his eyes closed and his breath slowed. But it only lasted for a second, and in that second the song rejected him as it would for the rest of his life, not letting him rest. Showing him the choice of his love.

Rikku held on to him as the song continued, her steady hand anchoring him to the ground. Her love was the one thing that kept him sane as his body rejected what it would not let him have. He had made his choice. He could hear Rikku humming under her breath, the song was unfamiliar to him but at once his spirit calmed, "What is that?" he asked.

"Necehk Cbened, Rising Spirit. We sing it to all newborn children to ease the passage into this world during birth."

As Rikku's song faded so did Yuna's dance. Baralai sat in the corner staring at them his face calm. Nooj looked over his shoulder, "Do you trust her now?"

"She killed my soldiers, how could she do this after killing them so terribly."

"From what I heard she did it to save a friend. One that you were trying to kill, Yuna's not a killer." Nooj told him.

Baralai looked at Nooj and then at Paine, eyes creasing as he narrowed them, "No, but that thing with her is."

Nooj knew who he was talking about and had to let out a hollow laugh. Glancing at Paine he shook his head, "She is no more a killer than Yuna."

In front of them Baralai watched and in that moment his breath caught and he finally saw, his eyes clearing of fear. Paine was no longer in the black outfit she had used to swim to the underwater cavern in. She was dressed in her white robes. And for the first time in his life Baralai was speechless. She turned to him eyes less harsh than they had been when she had first seen him, and he stood up on unsteady legs to bow to her, "I didn't know."

Rikku glanced back and forth between Baralai and Paine, "Know what?"

Having lived longer than her and being the only one versed in this particular Yevon lore Auron answered her, "When Sin first showed its face there were woman blessed by the fayth themselves called Valkyries. They protected the temples and all that the fayth stood for. However in the years that followed they all died out, those are their robes."

Nodding Paine smiled, "It was a job given to me before I met you, I left it out of my story for it would only complicate things."

"How so?" Yuna asked.

"Valkyries were human sinspawn, just like me. Taken in by the fayth, they all died when Sin showed up a second time."

Yuna was shocked, "How?"

Paine's lips quirked up in a sad smile, "It is a long story that we do not have the time for." She walked over to Baralai and cupped his face so his eyes were forced to look into her's. Baralai sucked in a breath and flinched but he did not pull away, "Now who did this to you?"

"Seymour." his voice only trembled slightly when he said that.

The fear in the room after he said those words was palpable. Seymour had haunted their steps their whole journey. From trying to force Yuna into marriage, to attacking relentlessly, he was a man possessed. Yuna looked at the door that lead to the Aeon room and back at Baralai, weighing her choices, "And where is he now?"

Rikku pointed at the exit, a scowl on her face - she wasn't even trying to conceal her anger. She radiated it, "Why don't we just ask him."

And there he was, standing in the doorway. Eyes blank, face hard he stared directly at Yuna unflinching. Turning Yuna met his stare, but something about Seymour seemed incorrect. And it was then that she realized who she was really staring at, who really was in charge of the person who looked at them. It was her first time truly seeing him too, out and about - in the body of some vessel. Her eyes flashed blue for a second and then back. Tidus knew already, "That's not Seymour. That's Yu Yevon, or at least part of him," She spoke what Tidus had told her.

Lulu nodded and whispered, "Just like Wakka."

And for moment the room was silent as Yu Yevon smiled. And then spoke.

Translation Note: E muja oui means I love you in Al Bhed. Duu is the equivalent of the word "too".

A/N: The title of this chapter has so many meanings. Can you spot them all? Also one of the things that I love about writing is how you can change things - one of my favorite changes made from game to this story is where the final battle with Seymour takes place. I think it's so much more symbolic inside the temple where his mother is a fayth.