Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Song of the Wanderer ❯ Ceres, Wanderer of Spira ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I definitely do NOT own anything Final Fantasy related. Please do not sue me as I am but a poor student who spends all her money buying your products anyway.

Author Note: For those who missed it in the summary, this is the story of an Original Character in an alternate FFX universe. There will be some lemony action in later chapters, so you have been warned.

// = translated from Al Bhed.

* = telepathy or any thoughts being heard by Ceres.

Enough rambling… Enjoy the story.

Song of the Wanderer: Chapter 1

Ceres groaned and pulled the covers over her head in a vain attempt to shut out the morning sunlight, which streamed through her room at Rin's Travel Agency. She desperately tried to cling to the last few precious moments of sleep. Ceres didn't want to wake up. If she woke up, she'd have to leave. After about 10 more minutes of tossing and turning, Ceres finally gave in. Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ceiling above. A voice in the back of her mind reminded her of the "appointment" she had in Guadosalam, or more specifically, in the Farplane. Ceres shivered, she'd really like nothing better than to stay as far away from that place as possible. She didn't think she could stand seeing him there. No, not just him (though he would be the worst) but all the others she had failed. She didn't want to go there because of that and the fact that she wasn't 100% sure he was even there.

"Oh come on, Ceres." She mentally scolded. "Where do you think he is? You haven't been able to feel his presence in Spira for how long?" Ceres frowned, how long had it been? 10 years? Yeah, that's right. 10 years ago…today. It was probably past time to face reality. She snorted, inelegantly. Right now reality really pedac. Stupid Sin, stupid Yevon …stupid Summoners!

Ceres sighed as she pushed back the covers and crawled out of bed. Splashing cold water on her face officially woke her up. Walking out of the bathroom, she crouched next to the bed and pulled her satchel from underneath it. Rummaging through the bag, Ceres dug out her clothes for the road. She couldn't help but grin as she held up each piece of her well known "disguise". Who would have thought that in a land of powerful summoners and mystical Aeons, she'd be a folk legend! The famed "Wanderer of Spira" as she was called. Ceres snorted in amusement, some people were such gullible vuumc. She was anything but a legend. However, if it gave the people of Spira comfort and something other than the Yevonite teachings to believe in, she could live with it. It wasn't a bad lot in life; convenient sometimes, but down right annoying at others.

She pulled on her light brown leggings; white, off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, and black bodice which laced up the front. Ceres was just finishing buckling up her black, thigh-high boots when there was a loud knock at the door.

//Lady Wanderer? Are you awake? The supplies you requested are packed and awaiting you downstairs.//

Ceres quirked an eyebrow and lowered the sword she'd instinctively grabbed back to its' resting place on the small table across from the bed.

*Why so formal today, Rin? Did someone actually check into this fiend infested hovel of yours?* She sent as a grin spread over her features.

*That really hurts, you know. After all I do for you. I house you, feed you, patch you up …* He thought back to her, good naturedly.

*Yes, I know. You've suffered terribly on my behalf.* She replied, her mind's voice heavy with sarcasm.

*Glad you finally noticed. Besides, you're the one who is always so secretive about your identity, Ceres.*

Ceres sighed, for this was undoubtedly true. Being "The Wanderer of Spira" had its advantages and drawbacks. For example, people recognized the hunter green cloak she wore as the cloak of the Wanderer. This made getting into some places easy and other places hard. Like if she wanted to enter the temples or, heaven forbid, go back to Bevelle, she'd get in a lot easier if she didn't go as the Wanderer. That would entail a lot of fighting and bloodshed. And anyhow, she'd lost track of how many times she'd been excommunicated. Ceres smiled, it was their loss. Now, back to Rin. She did need to talk to him before she . . . left.

//Enter//

Rin opened the door to her room and entered quickly. Closing the door behind him, Ceres went back to her packing. Rin sat on the bed, watching her. "I still don't understand how you can lift - let alone swing - a sword that size," he commented, eyeing the large, broad sword lying across the table.

Ceres laughed, "You always ask that. I told you, it takes a lot of practice. And you're extremely lucky that I can swing that sword." Rin grinned. Yes, he was indeed lucky to make the acquaintance of the famed Wanderer of Spira. He'd been ambushed by a group of really strong fiends on his way to one of his new Agencies. Rin thought he was dead for certain, until a lone figure in a dark green hood and cloak came to his defense. And imagine his surprise when, after the monsters had been defeated, his savior pushed back the hood to reveal the face of a girl about sixteen or seventeen years old with brown hair and long silver bangs. Rin sighed as he watched Ceres make last minute checks. Something was bothering her.

Ceres paced back and forth across the medium sized room as she pretended to be buy with her packing. She'd known Rin for about ten years and he was a good friend, almost like a brother. That's why telling him where she was going and why she might not be coming back was so hard. "Ceres," he said, interrupting her train of thought. "I know something's bothering you, so you might as well just admit it."

"Since when are you the one with telepathy?"

"It's obvious, you haven't been this quiet since the news came back that Lord Braska defeated Sin."

*Fine. I'm Going back to Guadosalam* She sent.

*So?* He thought back, puzzled.

Ceres sighed, and ran a hand through her uniquely colored hair. *What I mean is, I'm going to . . . the Farplane*

// No!// Rin yelled in Al Bhed. // Please think about this some more!//

//I have thought about it. Rin, it's been ten years. I can't even sense him anymore.// Ceres said, as she turned to stare out the window to the road below. It beckoned her as always; an incurable case of wanderlust. She closed her eyes as she felt Rin come up behind her. Gently, he turned her around and pulled her into a tight hug. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again.

//I know it hurts to lose someone you love, Little Bird. But you have others that care for you, what of them?//

Ceres gave a small smile. //How about I make you a deal? I'll visit Guadosalam and the Farplane then come back to decide what to do, based on what I find. Ok?//

Rin sighed in defeat. //Very well. Just don't do anything rash. Yui will string me up and use me for target practice if I let anything happen to you.//

Ceres grinned at the image of Rin hanging upside down from a tree while his younger sister fired arrows at him, yelling at him not to move. //Yeah, she probably would.// Laughing at the thought and Rin's stricken look, she shooed him out and promised to be down in five minutes to get her supplies.

By noon, Ceres was on the road again. "So much for getting an early start," she grumbled to herself. Her hood was pulled low over her silver-blue eyes and a dark green scarf covered her mouth and nose. Ceres relied on her sixth sense to tell where she was going and if she was in any danger. (A/N: No she does not see dead people . . . yet.)

*May we have a word with you, "Lady Wanderer"?* a soft male voice asked from the depths of Ceres' mind. So much for a nice, peaceful walk.

Author Note 2: This is my first fic, so please don't flame me too badly, but I enjoy reviews.