Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the healing items/ summons/ jobs, those are Squaresofts. This is non-profit fun.

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The empty highway just seemed to go on and on forever, like some never-ending line. It was autumn; he could tell by the green and gold blurs as he whizzed by on his motorcycle. The motorcycle they had given him, four years ago.

Four years. That's how long it has been since he saw the quaint monastery. Four years since he saw her last, four years since he spoke with her last. His stomach knotted just thinking about it. He didn't leave on the best of terms and hadn't attempted to speak or visit since.

They wouldn't understand why he left, but he had to, for his sanity. He couldn't be like them; he couldn't be the completed vision of what she saw. So he ran, cowardly yes, but it was almost instinctive. Something he learned through training was to survive and in that aspect Ghri will always have some control over him. But she did break through to him, changed him to what he was now, something that resembled a human and could feel as they do. For that, she, too, would always be a part of him.

Thinking of how much he had changed always brought up the catalyst of his decision. It was a spring day of a new year, warm and fragrant in the midday sun. They sat under the lavender blossoms of the tree in the holy place, as they had done everyday the year before. Usually they would talk, or argue. Or she would talk and he would listen. Or she would force him to talk and she would listen, or they would just sit and be quiet…together. That day, though, he didn't feel like talking and didn't feel like listening either; he just let her ramble on in some passionate speech about her theory on life. He like to watch her when she was like that, she could get very wrapped up in what she was saying and become very excitable, it was humorous so much so that he might have smiled…might have that is.

"And- you're not listening to me are you?" she asked, her head slightly tilted to one side.

"You lost me at good morning." He told her dryly, resting his head in his cupped hands.

She giggled and teased; "I bet you'd pay more attention if this was the girl's sacred bathing day."

"You're never going to let me live that down are you?" His voice raised slightly in defense, "I told you, it was Kazu's idea. I just happened to be there when he and Sesshin dragged me into it."

She laughed, "Kazu says it was Sesshin's fault and Sesshin says it was your fault. You guys really are a trio."

"Hey! Don't put me in the same category with them-" He stopped when he took a good look at her face. She was wearing a triumphant smirk that made him realize he had just played into her game. Immediately, he huffed and folded his arms, in what she would call, 'the man's way to pout.'

Aleura's crystalline laughter played in his ears, "Well time's up for today, I won't torture you any longer. You're free to go."

He stayed there awhile as she got up, following her shortly after. They almost made it to the bridge when she gasped aloud. All of a sudden Aleura fell forward, impulsively Ashen grabbed her wrist pulled her back towards himself. He stood there dumbfound holding her wrist and her elbow as she settled her footing.

"Oh, thank you, Ashen. I can be such a klutz sometimes," she chirped, not understanding the significance of what he had just done.

He had instinctively reached out to stop her from falling. Instinct, part of his inner nature, a reaction without thinking because you know you should do it with no questions asked. Ashen could apply that to so many things, but not to caring for anothers' well being. It was a kind act, a caring act, and he did it without thinking, just reacting. Part of him didn't believe it; all this time talking and living here, never did he feel any real change within himself. He dismissed everything they said or did as bunk, but now he could see that it indeed had changed him. There was something inside him that wasn't there before and it bothered him. He couldn't explain why it bothered him, but it did.

"Aleura?" Ashen asked quietly to get her attention, his eyes stared into space.

"Yes?" She turned around on the rope bridge.

"I'm done…" He uttered.

"Hmm? Done with what?" Tilting her head to the side.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow."

There was no argument on the subject, he wouldn't let her and deep down she knew he was serious. The next day, everyone gathered in the front to see him off, dressed in ceremonial garb in his honor. Yukai and the other monks gave him an old motorcycle that they restored. It wasn't the best piece of machinery but it ran, and Ashen needed it. Nara and the other priestess said their good byes to him and gave him box of supplies for his trip. He wouldn't find out until much later that they had slipped some gil in there for him. A smart move on their part, for he would have given it back to them; he didn't like being a charity case, especially when it came to money. Finally, it was Aleura's turn to say good bye, she didn't bring him a gift, she didn't need to: she had already given him enough.

She made her way to the bike he sat on, her headdress jiggling whenever she made the slightest move. Her porcelain face turned upward to his, he could see in her eyes all the questions she had bottled up inside her. Are you really going to leave? Why? You know you're only running away, right?

"Do you... know where you're going?" She asked. She was being strong, like always in tough situations. Never once letting her congregation seeing her weakness, she was after all their High Priestess, their protector... no one wants to see their protector cry. Also, she was being strong for him, to let him know that she would honor his decision.

"Sesshin told me there was a city about day's trip from here. I'll probably head there for now." His red eyes stayed with Aleura's, reading them like a book to her soul.

"I see." She took a step back to be with her congregation, overlapping her upturned palms before her. God, she was being so brave, he could tell she wanted to cry, that his leaving hurt her in ways he could never understand, but she remained dutiful... he admired her for that. They all touched their hands to their foreheads. "God be with you on your journey, Ashen Maave."

Ashen nodded, then slipped on the sleek black helmet and downed its visor. He didn't say good bye; it wasn't something he thought necessary. Throttling the engine, he veered off without looking back.

Turning into the dirt road now, Ashen wondered why he decided to come back to visit in the first place. It wasn't really a sudden decision, nor was it a decision he had been considering for a long time. Life had always just 'been', neither good nor bad, but being in the monastery felt different. It was tranquil amidst the chaos of the Frontier and peaceful despite the warring Ghri being so near. Maybe, he just missed listening to her theories on life, the silly ideals she was so fervent about. No one seems that hopeful anymore, it was annoying at the time... but it unfortunately grew on him.

He pulled the bike into the front of the arched entrance to the monastery. Sitting on the parked bike, he unzipped his black leather jacket and took off his helmet, tousling his short scruffy white locks as he did.

"Ashen?" A priestess asked in disbelief, dropping her bucket of water in the process. As he turned his sun-kissed face, she gasped through a smile, "Oh, by God in heaven! It is you!"

Moments later, it seemed the entire congregation had come to the front to greet him, surprisingly with open arms and hugs, which he uncomfortably accepted. They were still the same, obliviously cheery, but he found it comforting strangely enough. Kazu and Sesshin appeared from the crowd, Sesshin bowed in a respective greeting while Kazu playfully smacked Ashen's arm with a cheery, "Hey! Long time no see!"

They made way for Nara and Yukai when they approached. He had always respected Nara; she was not like many of the priestesses here, always with a serious quality and wise air to her. She gave him a polite hello and a warm smile, knowing he wasn't one for hugs and respected that. Yukai, he was a little more nervous of, many things hadn't changed here and if that was so, Yukai still would have his fatherly protective streak over Aleura which means he was still very displeased by the hurt Ashen had caused her when he left. But his nerves were eased when Yukai only shook Ashen's hand with a peaceful smile under his mustache.

"Ashen…" He turned his head to find where the smooth womanly voice came from. The sea of priestesses and monks parted making visible a graciously slender young woman. Ashen's eyes widen slightly with disbelief, he had forgotten that time still existed in this place despite the fact everyone seemed the same, there were some things that obviously had changed. Aleura was still a scrawny little girl when he left four years ago; he was not prepared for her to become a beautifully developed young woman.

Each graceful step she took made it harder to believe she was ever the clumsy awkward girl she once was. She finally halted in front of him; she was still only a head shorter then him. Her face still what it used to be, but refined in womanly elegance. Her emerald orbs seemed to hold the shade of experience, but the light of her youth still remained in there somewhere. They trailed up to meet his red eyes, he was little nervous to what she could be reading in them now. Finally, her rosy lipped mouth spread back to reveal the slight pearly smile, Aleura's smile. Something that would never change, Aleura's smile was something that could make even the hardest man feel at ease.

Her voice flowed like the song she used to sing, "Welcome home…"

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Autumn leaves fell gently like gold rain about the monastery, though he found many things had stayed the same. The water still ran, the falls still trickled like crystal being tapped, grass was still vibrant green, flowers still bloomed, birds still sung, and the holy tree was still in blossom. The holy place always seemed to be locked in time, never changing, never aging.

Aleura and Ashen walked to this familiar place while the congregation prepared for a homecoming feast, letting them spend this time alone to rekindle their strange friendship. The two were silent in their short journey to the holy place, not an uncomfortable silence, but a familiar silence that said 'I know you're there' and needed no other words.

Her long iridescent shawl made crinkled noises as she sat down under the tree, folding her bare legs under her. He made a move to sit across from her, like their old seating arrangement, but she stopped him.

"Ashen, lets not play positions... I want to be your equal today," She pat the patch of grass beside her, her voice seemed weary.

He conceded to her will and sat down beside her, noticing the view vastly different. He could see the entire length of the monastery's open halls in the distance. Lost in the view, a slight pressure awakened him, he felt it on his shoulder through his leather jacket. Immediately, he looked down surprised to see Aleura's head lightly resting on his shoulder.

"…Are you sure you should be doing that?" His voice gentle in his concern for her, he didn't want to be the cause of any problems for her in this position.

"I know. Just let me stay like this…for a little while, please?" She sighed.

He let her stay like that, easing under her pressure. Hell, even he had to admit he welcomed the sudden closeness. It was comforting to have her so near, he wouldn't willingly push this away. They sat silently together like this, damning the consequences.

"So," she broke the silence, "What is it like living in the city?"

His lips spread into an unconscious smile. The comment was so classically her he had to let out an amused huff, which she felt through his shoulder. Her green eyes peered up at him from his shoulder.

"Oh? You smile now?" Asking rather surprised; she had never seen him smile, ever.

The smile turned into a small smirk as he looked down at her, "Sometimes…"

Aleura's own beautiful smile appeared; "I'm glad."

She returned her head to his shoulder while he humored her intrigue; "It's a small city. Not like Ghri at all. There aren't as many lights as Mecka Allo, but it has some tall buildings and an active stream of young club goers."

"It sounds wonderful…" He could hear the smile in her voice, which felt good to him. It made him feel good to see her happy. The two fell peacefully silent again.

"Ashen," Her voice had lost the joyful tone it had before, "Life isn't like this out there… is it?"

He was hesitant to tell her the truth, yet he didn't want to lie to her, he never wanted to lie to her. "No. It's not like this at all."

She exhaled long and painfully; he felt it through his jacket. He blamed himself for this, knowing full well that his presence in the monastery as well as his sudden absence had changed her. Back then, he would have found this change good for her that she needed to realize her naiveté and cast away her innocent idealistic nature for the real harsh truths that didn't exist in her world. However, he could see it now that instead he had stained her beautifully sweet nature. That rare flower that doesn't exist outside this strange place, he had tainted it with his diseased hands and though it didn't die, it lost some of its brilliance.

"Do you think-" she started, she was nervous from what he could tell; "If I left here…Could I come with you?"

The innocent question surprised him. She wanted to leave the only home she had ever known? His red gaze watched the slumped head on his shoulder turn up to meet him, "Why?"

It slowly slumped down again away from his eyes, "Would you want to live in a dream if you never knew what reality was like?" She sighed, "Besides... my heart doesn't belong here anymore."

"Do Nara and Yukai know you want to leave?"

"Yes. They said I have to make this decision for myself."

He sighed, leaning his head back against the tree trunk. She should stay here, it's her home, every who cares for her is here, but part of him wanted to be selfish, part of him wanted her in his life not just a memory of the past. He wanted to refuse her, the words were all set in his mouth to say no. "My apartment's small?"

What the hell? That wasn't no!

"I don't mind," her voice was warm, "Maybe I could even get a job as a school teacher. I've never seen children except in pictures, but I think I'd be good with them."

He smirked, it was true she would be, she was good with everyone. "Do you really want to do this?"

She nodded, "Yes... I do."

Ashen reached behind his neck, something jingled as he pulled a chain from his collar. He popped one of the four silver keys off the key ring and placed it gently in her hand. "For when you move in…"

Her head lifted from his shoulder, fingering the key in her hand. She smiled while he put the chain back under his shirt. "Thank you."

Her demeanor changed looking at the silver key in her hands. He could tell she had something else on her mind she wanted to say, but he wouldn't force her to say it by asking.

"I have something else- I should confess." She purposefully avoided his quizzical stare, "I fear that... I've fallen in love with you, Ashen."

His mind pondered in confusion the words she had for him. To him, love had always been a superficial word, something people cry out absently during lovemaking and such. It was never genuinely meant, but Aleura's feelings had always been nothing but genuine. So she must be genuinely in love with me…

She continued without hesitation, "I realized this after you left."

She's been in love with me for four years…

"We're not allowed to fall in love, it's a law here. Love divides one's attention, splitting your duty to the community of the Sect and the duty to the one you love. I can't be both High Priestess and love you."

Take it back, Aleura…Don't love me, just don't.

"I've tried to put you out of my mind and deny my feelings. I thought time would pass and I'd forget about you, but it only got stronger with each day you were gone, each day I lost my will to be here."

I'm sorry…

She struggled to keep her voice from quivering, "When I heard you were here it was like God giving me the okay to go. Oh God, it's true Ashen! I hate it, I feel so selfish, but it's true. I don't want to be the High Priestess anymore! I care about them all so much, they've always done so much for me, but I can't do it! I can't lie to myself anymore about how much I feel for you."

He could see how hard she was fighting to keep from crying to stay strong, "Aleura…" He let out in a rather gentle manner. It seemed to affect her, making her gather her composure in front of him.

"I'm sorry…I know this was a lot to put on you," Her voice was a lot calmer, "I don't expect you to feel the same for me. I just needed to tell you, just to get it out."

An uncomfortable silence over took them, she continued to avoid his eyes; she didn't want to see his reaction. Then suddenly she felt something warm wrap around her hand, she peer down to see his partially gloved hand. He lifted her hand, opening her closed fingers, and placed it on his chest.

At first, she was confused by the action, she looked up to find his red eyes gazing deeply into her own. Then she felt his heart beats as they sat there calmly. His heart is beating so fast, but he can controls his heart rate, it was a part of his training, to keep himself calm in every situation, and push back emotions-Oh my.

He could see it in her eyes that she finally understood, he couldn't simply tell her that he loved her because he didn't know if it was love or not, he had to show her how he felt and let her decide for herself what it was. "It was like that before I came here today and the day I left. It happens every once in awhile, mostly when something reminds me of you. I can't stop it or calm it down with training exercises, I usually just let it run its course."

Her voice seemed caught in her throat, "Oh… Ashen."

A gentle tear trickled down her right cheek; instinctively, he wiped it away with his thumb, leaving his hand to cup her cheek. "I didn't do something that made you upset, right?" he meekly asked in confusion.

She giggled, "No, no, they're happy tears. Um, people can cry both tears of sadness and of joy."

He let out an amused air with his smile, "That doesn't make much sense."

Her laughter filled his heart, "No, I guess it really doesn't make sense."

It touched him so much to hear laugh and see her smile like that; she still remained the same Aleura in so many aspects, but also a more adult and refined Aleura at the same time. Not to mention Aleura was stunningly beautiful, he never noticed how beautiful she really was until this very moment. Unconsciously, he closed his eyes, the sudden urge to kiss her heated his thoughts, his head bent down to claim her lips.

"Ah!" The next thing he felt was his head slam against the trunk of the tree.

"Ow!" he screeched as she scurried back a couple of feet.

"Oh, God," She covered her mouth when she realized that she was a little too hard when she pushed him away. Quickly, she rushed back to his side, "Oh, God, Ashen I'm sorry!"

A wince occupied his face. That's going to leave a mark… He gingerly touched the back of his head to check for blood. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked a little confused and frustrated.

"No, no!" She began to heal the bruise given to him. "It's just you mustn't do that. Not now that is... I'm still VERY much the High Priestess here and it's forbidden for me to have such contact with any man."

"Oh," he said while the pain in his head dissipated. She could have told me that sooner…

She helped him to his feet, "I'm sorry, are you alright?"

"Yeah…" He got caught in her pleading eyes, "I'm fine."

Her smile warmed his heart; she had slipped her hands into his.

"When won't you be the High Priestess anymore?" the words slipped out in a husky whisper.

"Three days, if I tell them now," Still smiling, she whispered back, "Will you promise to try again then?"

He nodded, his thumbs affectionately doodling little ovals on the back of her hands. Three days suddenly felt like too long of a wait. "I have a job to do, but I can get back here by that time."

"Good, then everything is all planned out," Her giddiness very apparent. "I better go and help with the feast, they may get the wrong idea if they see us like this."

Quickly, she gave him tender, but illegal embrace, just long enough to catch the jasmine incense that mingled in her hair, and then she was gone. Skipping fairy-footed down the bridge and out of sight. Three days was definitely too long of a wait

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AN: Heya! From now on, all the author notes will be after the story, unless it's a warning. Why? Tenth?

*Tenth strolls in with all his dark glory * "That's…classified."

* Glomps Tenth * What he said, hehe!

*flashes his warm smile to the girl on his back * "You know, I charge extra for rides.."

* frowns and solemnly gets off* It's always at a price with you Dynasty boys… oh well… really quick sorry for all my carnage fans, I know it was a mushy chapter, but it IS a romance. Questions or Comments are welcome as always, as is reviews in the form of a question or comment * realizes that sounded really dumb* Quiet, I still have a Tenth here *points to Tenth who winks at the readers * You know your just asking for trouble when you do that, right?

*Tenth smiles knowingly *

*drly* I am sooo not bringing you in on my author's notes anymore.