Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Separate Thread ❯ Resting ( Chapter 10 )

Separate Thread

Chapter 10: Resting

At the end of the tunnel out of Guadosalam, looking over the Thunderplains, Rikku stands huddled. "Oh no…we're here!" she exclaims worriedly. Thunder crashes and she shrieks, huddling down further.

"How are we supposed to cross that?" Tidus asks in disbelief.

"See the lightning towers?" Lulu asked him. "The lightning is drawn to them…hopefully."

"We head north, not too near and not too far from the towers, ya?" Wakka adds.

"Meaning we should avoid wide open areas," continued Lulu.

Thunder crashes again and Rikku cries out in fear. "I think I forgot something in Guadosalam," she states quickly.

"Nice knowing you," Auron teases, which quickly earns him a mental slap of annoyance from Marina. "I don't want to be alone with her anytime soon," he thought with a wry laugh.

"Okay, okay! I'll go!" Rikku whines.

They begin their trek across the Thunderplains. They run into Shelinda again, standing underneath one of the towers.

"Ah, good day!" she said pleasantly as she performed the prayer gesture to them.

"Hi there," Tidus replied.

"Is it true? I heard that Maester Seymour and Lady Yuna are to be wed! It's such great news! I have to tell everyone!" she said excitedly.

"Where'd you hear that?" he asked surprised.

"From the Guado. They were all very excited!"

"I'm afraid you heard wrong. Yuna hasn't even given her decision yet," Tidus told her.

"Well the Maester sounds pretty confident you know. And it seems unthinkable to refuse a Maester," she scolds.

He realizes the others have moved on, so he excuses himself and followed after them. At another tower they stop, just as two bolts of lightning strike it simultaneously. Tidus and Yuna gasp.

"Whoa! That was a close one!" Wakka exclaims with a laugh.

"Stop kidding around," Lulu scolds.

"Yes, ma'am…" he replies.

"Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh…." Rikku laughs absentmindedly.

"Hmmm…what's wrong?" Tidus asks worriedly. She continues the low, false laughter. "Heh heh heh….you're giving me the creeps!" he complains.

Lightning strikes the tower again. Rikku shrieks and falls to her knees, covering her ears. Suddenly, she hits the ground and swiftly crawls like a bug over to Tidus and grabs hold of his leg.

"I wanna go home! I hate lightning! I hate thunder! Let's go rest over there! Please?" she begged, pointing to another of Rin's Travel Agencies.

"This storm never stops. Better to cross quickly," Auron informs her.

"I know, but…just for a little while?" she pleads.

Auron sighs, exasperated. Everyone but Rikku and Tidus walk past the door of the inn.

"Pretty please? Just for a few minutes?" Rikku whines again. The group ignores her and continues walking.

"I'm scared of lightning! Let's rest, please? Pretty please?" she pleads. They keep going. "I'm too young to die!" she complains. They pause a moment, but continue on. Marina, feeling sorry for her, returns to where she is standing.

"You're mean…cruel! Your moms would be ashamed of you!" she hollers at their retreating forms. They stop and look back at her. "Are you having fun doing this to me?"

Auron shakes his head. "Fine, we rest. She's worse than the storm," he complains jokingly.

They enter the inn and Rikku is relieved to be there.

"I'm…a little tired. Do you have a room available?" Yuna asks the clerk.

"Ah, Lady Summoner. Yes, just over that way," the clerk replies.

"Thank you," she replies and retires to the room.

"Uh, Yuna?" Wakka calls to her, but she doesn't hear him.

"It's not like her," Lulu comments.

"I wonder what's wrong with Yuna…no point in asking--mood she's in," Wakka remarked.

"She looks…pre-occupied. Was it because of Jyscal? Don't tell Rikku, but we leave as soon as Yuna's better," Lulu tells Tidus.

Tidus joins Rikku. "Are you that scared?" he asked her.

"Mmm hmm," she answers with a pause. "When I was little, a fiend attacked me while I was swimming at the beach. My brother tried to beat it back with a spell," thunder crashes and she shrieks again. "But he missed and hit me instead!" she cried out. "It was a thunder spell--'Bzzzzzt!"

"Ouch!" Tidus agreed.

"I have been scared of lightning ever since," she explained.

"But…it can be effective. Magic is effective against marine fiends," Lulu said.

"My brother said that too," Rikku remarked.

"You should learn some spells, too," Lulu says as the thunder crashes again. Rikku screams, prompting Lulu to reconsider. "Hmm….maybe later."

Rin walks out from the back. "Nice to see you again," he says to Tidus. "Welcome to the Rin Travel Agency." He notices Rikku. "Oh!" he says in surprise.

"Shh…"she tells him.

"Hmm…" he replies.

Tidus approaches Rin.

"I wonder…would that be Sir Auron, by any chance?" Rin asks him. Tidus nods. "Ah…as I thought. I have been wondering since I saw him at the Mi'ihen Highroad Branch." Rin leaves Tidus and walks over to where Auron and Marina are standing.

"Sir Auron!" Rin says loudly, trying to get his attention. Auron turns around.

"I wonder if you remember me? Ten years ago? At the beginning of Lord Braska's calm?" Rin inquired.

"Yes…I should thank you," Auron replied.

"Not at all. I could not leave a wounded man to die. However, I was surprised when I saw you gone the next morning, with that wound. An ordinary man would not have been able to walk."

"I'd rather…drop that subject, Rin," Auron warned.

"As you wish," Rin replies apologetically. He turns back to Tidus.

"Maester Seymour and his entourage passed by a while ago. And the Maester is to be married soon?"

"Excuse me, but where did you hear that?" Tidus asks him.

"The Guado are telling everyone," Rin informs him.

"Oh they are, are they?"

"Yes…and that is strange. I thought there was something between the Maester and the female with him. Perhaps I was wrong. Now if you will excuse me," Rin remarked and walked away.

Tidus joins Auron, intending to tell him of what Rin just said. Auron speaks first. "It's not easy, being a guardian to one so young," he remarks, regarding Yuna's preoccupation.

"The Guado are telling everyone that Yuna is going to marry Seymour," Tidus tells him.

"Hmm…interesting. This is going to be some journey," he responds.

Marina interrupts, "I'm sorry, but I am…feeling drained. Will you excuse me?" she apologizes.

"I'll ask Rin about a room," Auron informs her.

Tidus heads down the hallway, looking for Yuna. He stops at her door when he hears a voice coming from inside. "Wha…?" he ponders.

It's a man's voice. He listens intently, his ear to the door. He catches only phrases: "Punishment for my deeds", and "His mother". He tries to get closer but the door bursts open, causing him to nearly fall inside.

"Whoa!" he shouts in surprise.

Inside Yuna stands watching a sphere. A small image of what appears to be Lord Jyscal hovers above the sphere. "Y-yes?" she asks startled.

"I…well…it's nothing really. I…I just, uh…" he tried to reply.

She turns off the sphere and they both fumble with their words.

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have come in. H-hey! Wasn't that that Jyscal guy?" Tidus asked.

She nods and looks around the room. "The sphere is his will…it says 'Take care of my son'," she replies.

"His son…? Seymour?" Tidus asks.

She nods.

"Well I know one way to take care of him," Tidus remarks angrily.

"I'm sorry," she cries and runs out of the room.

"Huh?" Tidus remarks to himself in confusion. He notices the sphere and approaches it. Just as he is about to activate it, Wakka, watching at the doorway enters and grabs him in a headlock.

"What do you think you're up to?" Wakka asks.

"Yuna…Yuna was acting funny so…" Tidus begins.

"Yeah, yeah! She'll tell us when she's ready, so hold your chocobos till then, ya?" Wakka teases.

"All right! All right!" Tidus shouts and Wakka releases him. They part, going to find a place to rest.

Marina sat on the bed in her room, lost in thought. She was startled when Auron sat down beside her.

"What's on your mind?" he asks her.

"I don't know. I am worried about Abra. And you," she answers looking up at him. "What happened back there…in the Farplane?"

He sighed…then was silent for a long while. Finally he spoke. "I don't have all the answers. But I do believe Jyscal was sent. He was obviously a part of the Farplane. But something about his death…it's drawing him back to Spira. He was trying to break out of the Farplane, to become a part of the living again. That isn't the way things are supposed to be. I made the decision not to go there…because I had promises to keep. I stayed away because being near there is uncomfortable. Near it…it's like it calls to you," he said, pausing to see if she understood what he meant. She nodded, silently asking him to continue.

"By trying to leave, Jyscal was disrupting the forces of the Farplane. For a moment I felt as if I was about to be sucked in…the call was so strong. But I can't let that happen…and trying to resist was painful. I must fight that call. My place is here with you," he finished.

"I am sorry. I never realized how truly hard this is on you," she replied quietly.

"It's been hard for you too. Did you ever…" he began warily, then continued quickly, "Did you go look for me there?"

"When we passed through Guadosalam, traveling from Bevelle to Besaid, I could have. I even thought about it. But I just couldn't. I knew, that if you could have, you would have returned to me. It's true that Kimahri told me you were gone, but I just couldn't let myself believe it. It was just too hard. I guess, with a baby coming, I needed some form of hope to hang on to. It made is easier, I suppose," she answered sadly.

He sighed wearily. She knew he was mentally beating himself up again…it was just who he was. She had to stop this…she had to assure him that he wasn't to blame. That he was a person to be proud of…that he deserved love and happiness. "Please, don't torture yourself over the past. It doesn't matter anymore, because you are here with me now," she assured him, hugging him.

"And I never want to leave you again," he vowed to her.

"Auron…" she whispered.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I need you. I need to feel you. I need to be one with you…love me?"

"Always…" he replied softly.

He unlaced the ties of her dress. She stood up and let the dress fall to the floor, her panties soon followed. She climbed back onto the bed. He stood up, quickly shed his clothing and joined her.

"I have missed being with you like this," he said, his voice filled with emotion, as he settled between her thighs.

"And I have missed you. I need only to look at you and my body fills with desire for you. I need you inside of me…" she begged.

His erection throbbed at her words. He found her entrance and slowly slid himself inside her.

"I love the feeling of being in your body, the feel of you surrounding me," he whispered.

He slowly slid in and out of her, feeling her all around him. Her hands roamed his body, running her fingers along his sides, dragging her fingernails down his back. He kissed her, hungrily, her mouth opened and their tongues met. His tongue ran across hers; softly, slowly, then he sucked on it, making her moan. Their lips parted and he moved to her neck. He began nuzzling her, as his thrusts increased. He licked at the pulse point at her neck and she squirmed. He began to suck hard on the point, leaving a mark and driving her wild. They were both getting close.

"Auron!" she cried as she hit her peak. Her eyes were closed as she reveled in her ecstasy.

"Look at me," he commanded. Her gaze met his and he saw pure love and desire in it. His release hit him as well and he collapsed on her, burying his face in her neck.

"My beautiful wife, I love you…" he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too…" she responded, before they both fell into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, in Macalania, Seymour and his entourage neared the Macalania Travel Agency.

"My lord?" Abra asked, bowing to him slightly.

"What is it, little one?" he asked her.

"I know it isn't far to the temple…but I feel exhausted…may we please rest here for the night?" she asked timidly.

He thought for a moment. He was about to decline her request, when he realized what could very well be the cause of her fatigue. He smiled, hoping it was true.

"Very well, we rest here tonight and continue to the temple early tomorrow morning," he informed the group, turned and entered the inn with Abra.

A little while later, Abra lay in bed resting. She had begged off diner, the smell of food made her nauseous. She lay with her back to the door, looking out the window watching it snow. It was amazing how quickly and drastically the climates changed in Spira. She wondered where her sister was now. Probably somewhere on the Thunderplains, she guessed. She felt bad about leaving Guadosalam without speaking with Marina, but she had to follow Seymour. Past her love for him, it was her job. He decides to leave and she has to follow. She lay there, lost in her thoughts. She heard the door open, and knew it was Seymour. She heard the quiet rustling of clothing being removed, and felt the bed shift as he joined her. Her skin flushed with heat as he slip his body up against her.

"How are you, little one?" he asked.

"Tired and a little queasy…but better now," she answered quietly.

"Have you thought about why you may be feeling this way?" he inquired.

"Not really…" she replied slowly.

His arm came around her and his fingers caressed her stomach. "You might be carrying my child," he told her softly.

"Do you really think so?" she asked him in awe.

"It is still too early for me to use my abilities to sense it, but from your complaints, I think it could be very possible." He turned her to face him and then gave her a soft kiss. "I hope you are," he whispered.

He continued kissing her, growing more passionate. Her leg slipped between his thighs and she could feel his erection grow as they kissed. Abra found herself growing excited as well, despite her tiredness.

They parted and he gazed into her eyes. "I need you, little one, but I don't want to hurt you…" he began.

"You won't hurt me…" she whispered assuringly. "And I need you too, so very much," she told him.

He sat up in the bed, his back resting against the headboard. He pulled her onto his lap, sheathing himself inside her. He held her, her head resting on his chest, as he ran his fingers through her auburn hair. "Abra…you are my heart…no matter what," he whispered softly.

His fingers tangled in her hair, clutching, and he pulled her head back so he could have access to her lips. He kissed her, his tongue demanding entrance into her mouth. Her lips parted, allowing him to possess her. His tongue swept across hers tasting all of her. He grabbed her hips, trying to encourage her to begin to move on him. Their kiss ended and her hands clutched his shoulders.

Using his shoulders for leverage and bracing herself on her knees, she began to move on him. Slowly she'd lift herself off him, then slide back down to engulf him. He enjoyed watching her ride him, but knew she was growing tired. He stopped her, lifting her off him gently. He lay her down beside him and settled on his knees between her legs. He took hold of her waist and pulled her to him. He shifted, until he was over her and began to move within her. In and out, slowly, teasing them both. Her hands clutched at him as he thrust into her deeply. She rocked up against him, wrapping her legs around him. His thrusting increased and she could feel every inch of him. She savored this time with him, and wondered how much longer they had. She tried to put that thought out of her mind, whish wasn't too difficult due to what he was doing to her body.

"Oh little one…you feel so good…" Seymour moaned. He was close and so was she. She cried out as her climax hit her and he clutched at her, bathing her insides with his release. He collapsed, rolling to the side and pulling her to him.

Her hand touched his face timidly, and she caressed his cheek, before running her fingers through his long, blue hair. It looked stiff…but it was amazingly soft, and she loved the feel of it. He kissed her forehead. Her hand traveled down to his chest, and his fingers traced his tattoos. She inhaled the sweet spicy smell of his skin. She sighed. "I love you," she said quietly…but almost desperately.

"Why?" he inquired.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Why do you love me? So many people claim to like me, some even say they love me…but only because I am their leader. But why do you?"

"I-I don't know…" she stammered. She thought for a moment. "You accepted me. I didn't have to hide the fact that my mother was Al Bhed with you. It didn't matter to you. And, as we became friends, you showed me a part of yourself that you haven't shared with others. You know what it means to be trapped between two different worlds. You treat me as if I am special. Something about you touches my heart…its difficult to explain. All I know is…I just love you…more than I wanted to let myself," she replied, embarrased.

He smiled at her. "You are special. Very special to me, little one. You are my only true friend. Thank you so much for loving me," he told her, giving her a kiss. He felt a little guilty, not telling her his true plans. He pushed it away, instead concentrating on holding her, being with her, loving her. He jolted at that thought. He hadn't loved anyone since his mother, and where had it gotten him? She left him…everyone always leaves. He cared for Abra, but he couldn't let himself love anyone. Love just disappoints. He snuggled up to her, putting those thoughts away. She was soon asleep in his arms, and he followed her into slumber not long after.