Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )

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

"Hey Maave! That's your last one, right?" shouted a middle-aged man from his wicker chair, a clipboard in his hands, a toothpick in his mouth. He was a skinny little miser, who had seen too many days in the hot sun and was in bad need of a shave. He wore a shabby flannel shirt and a worn green ball-cap to hide his coarse graying hair.

"Yeah." Ashen called back as he hopped down from inside of the truck's trailer, slammed the rolling door down, and locked it shut. Taking a moment, he stretched out his bare arm, popping his shoulder and neck before picking up his leather jacket from the dusty ground. He slung it over his shoulder as it was too hot for him to actually put it on, then walked over to his miser of a boss. "You're done with me right?"

"Yeah, I'm done with ya, scrawny punk," the miser spat. He was too busy writing down something on the clipboard to look at Ashen. "Just be back before your shift tomorrow or I'll fire your ass, got it?"

"Yeah, I got it," Ashen huffed. As he was about to walk away, he stopped abruptly, remembering something important. He half turned back to the miser. "Mind if I have a roommate?"

Ashen's boss, who doubled as his landlord, just waved his hand like he was swatting away a fly. "I don't give a damn Maave, as long as you pay the rent on time."

That was all Ashen needed to hear and he started to leave again, but the man's nasal voice halted him. "Wait."

Ashen turned over his shoulder, seeing his boss taking the toothpick out of his mouth. "Is it a girl?" the miser asked blankly.

Ashen huffed and turned around fully to face him. "Yeah, she is." Not that it's any of your business, old slave driver.

The old miser popped the toothpick back into his mouth and put down the clipboard. He rummaged through a tin box, then tossed something to Ashen who caught it one handed. Ashen stared, stunned by the gil that was sitting in his open palm.

"Have some freakin' decency, Maave. If you knocked her up at least get her some flowers or something, shit man." He went back to his clipboard, missing the cold defensive glare Ashen was giving him.

Ashen's mouth opened to say something to defend both he and Aleura's honor, but he closed it when he looked back at the gil in his hand. Realizing this was probably a raise so the geezer could charge him double for having both of them there. He pocketed the gil with a smirk.

"Thanks, I'll be sure to name the kid after you."

He had to admit the old man did have a point. The girl was giving up her comfortable life to be with him; the least he could do was get her something to show her how welcome she was in his life. A quick trip down the main street, he picked up a white helmet for the ride back and a little green beaded bracelet that looked like the prayer beads that the monks of the sect wore. It would be a nice reminder of home for her and it matches her eyes… it's girlie, She'll like that right?

Finally at about noon, he hopped on his bike and headed for the monastery.

~***~

It was a quiet ride to the monastery. The road was mostly straight and not very many cars headed in that direction. Ashen's mind started to wander as his bike ran down the road.

Two hours and I'll get there. Two hours… I'll have to start working double shifts. Maybe in a year she could get a job of her own, but for now it'd be better if I pay for both of us. She's gonna hate it, she'll feel like she's burdening me. Maybe I could let her cook or something so she feels like she earning her keep. Never mind, that could be a disaster, she's never cooked a day in her life. Honestly, I don't care if she does anything. Her just being there is enough; I can get home see her smiling face waiting for me there.

A smile spread lightly across his lips. Distracted by a woman, it was so unlike him. Then again he wasn't what he used to be. She fixed that and now she was going to be a permanent part of his life. Their new life. Did they ever really live before today? Ghri was never life; it was a slow death. He was just their pawn of war; real living would've been in the way. Aleura never lived either; yes, she was loved, but she had the status of a holy being. She could never live a normal life there. Today would be the beginning of their life, a normal life. A real life…together.

I'll take her out tonight, she can see the city lights, she'll love that. I'm going to have to get used to the couch, no way she'll agree to sharing a bed. Maybe eventually…slow down, she hasn't even seen television yet. That in itself will be hard to explain.

He suddenly envisioned her mesmerized by his little 20" set asking him how they get the little people in it. It caused him to laugh quietly to himself, knowing how true to life that could be. She was innocent like that, the world he was accustomed to and the world people valued above all else was never hers. She valued life and for those in life to feel peace and happiness, she valued his life and to this day he still didn't understand why. She loved him enough to give up her happy comfortable dream world to spend reality with him.

Hope she doesn't regret this… She could always go back if she hates it. I wouldn't blame her if she did. I can't really give her the kind of life she should have… It's meager at best, but if it'll make her happy…

He settled into a warm smile at the image of her beautiful face glowing with joy as she mouthed, "I'll see you soon," two nights ago when he left the monastery. He'd move heaven and hell if he could just see her glow like that again. Silently, he vowed to spend the rest of his days making sure she didn't regret this decision.

"OOOOOONNNNNKKKKK," the blaring sound of a car horn woke him from his thoughts. His eyes focused ahead of him, seeing the front of a white van painstakingly close. The sudden realization that he drifted into the wrong lane just as he veered back into the left lane, his back tire narrowly missing the front bumper of the van. He turned his head while the van streaked by without further incident.

He turned his eyes to the front again, letting out the air he had held onto with relief. Reminding himself that he needed to keep focused on the road. What good would it do, all this daydreaming of their life together, if he didn't live to see it?

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AN: * Frowns* But I'm a little disappointed with this one cause it isn't as good as the other, but on the plus side we get to see touchy feely Ashen! YEAH! Oh as for his job, just for curious minds. He's a bouncer for that little guy's bar, which really isn't that necessary cause it's one of those dusty old timer bars, but sometimes they have a group of rowdy bikers and Ashen needs to 'settle things down' (break a nose here, bust a rib there, no more problems then). Well see ya all next week!