It has been awhile since I have been in the realm of Final Fantasy fan fiction, not just as a writer but as a reader. Recently, I rediscovered this world when I became obsessed with fan fiction centering on a Balthier/Ashe relationship from FF12. It made me want to come back to this world, but I couldn't move forward until I had finished the past. I promise now to finish this story. I also promise not to take the easy way out and add 2 chapters and call it complete: I am going to try and finish this as I intended to when I began it several years ago. Stick with me, and hopefully I can fulfill what all of you have been sticking around for.

Also, I am so grateful to see that so many people have put this neglected, uncompleted fan fiction on their favorites list and that it has received so much attention. It really for that fact above all that I am now bent on completing this fiction. I think I owe it to all of you.

Thank you so much for sticking by this fiction for so long. I love Tikku and I am glad that I can contribute to the fandom.

Also one last note. I just looked at the publication date of this story… April 4, 2002. Um, I've been writing this story for 5 years? How do you guys put up with me?! And geez, am I OLD or what?

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Chapter Six

Horizons

A grey sunrise greeted the party the morning they arose to leave Spira behind in hope of ultimately saving her. There were no smiles on their faces as they rose from bed to dress, and no joking as they gathered together to make sure that the necessary supplies had all been gathered. They looked grimly at each other, all eyes present shadowed by deep circles that had been gathered from restless sleep to sit as a reminder of the task ahead. Roarke alone stood apart, his gaze piercing through a large window, in the direction of his home.

Wakka and Lulu had arrived the day before, looking tired and worried. Yuna had put on a bright smile as she reunited with her friends, her guardians, but deep in her stomach a storm was churning and none of the happiness she showed outwardly was reflected in her heart.

In the hall that grim morning, Yuna watched her friends pull out weapons they had not used in months, for there had never been a need. No fiends threatened the roads anymore; the highways were free to travel by all, strong and weak. Rikku's claws still fit, Tidus' blade still split the air with terrifying whistle, Wakka's aim was still better than any other's, and Lulu was the best black mage she had ever met. Yuna lowered her head to where her summoning staff lay at her feet, still wrapped in the cloth she had stowed it away with months before.

She had no reason to summon any more, no power to do so. There was no Sin and it had destroyed the forces that had allied with her. What was she to do on this treacherous journey without a weapon? Would she stand in the back and shout for the others to look out for blows from the enemy as she clutched her healing potions?

Her sarcastic chuckle slipped out through her lips unintentionally and she looked up, afraid four pairs of eyes would be questioning her, but found her noise hadn't interrupted a conversation on who was going to be carrying what.

Relieved, Yuna leaned down to pick up her staff and walked to the entrance hallway where a servant stood quietly, still half asleep as such an early hour.

"Mayla," Yuna said softly, and the girl jumped, suddenly awake.

"I'm sorry, miss, I didn't mean too--!"

She smiled warmly. "Its alright, Mayla. Would you please take this and return it to my room? I fear I won't have need of it any longer."

As she watched the young girl bow and scurry away, she suddenly realized that from his quiet place by the window, Roarke was watching her. When she turned to face him, he strode towards her, quickly, and pulled something from within the shadows of his coat. He held it out to her, waiting for her to take it from him.

Yuna looked at the object and saw that he was holding out a silver gun to her. It was large and looked heavy, but was well taken care of. She could see the reflection of her green and blue eyes in its shiny reflection. She opened her mouth, looking questioningly at Roarke, but couldn't find the words she was trying to grasp at in her confusion.

He smirked. "If you'll take it, I'll teach you to use it long before we reach our destination."

Gingerly, she reached out a finger, tracing it against the barrel of the gun. It felt cold to the touch and chilled her inside. She was not used to something like this, something that killed and drew blood. She had been taught all of her life to call Aeons to her side, so that she would hide behind them as they fought. She was taught to live to see another day. With a weapon like this, she would be a target and she would have to learn to take care of herself. No more waiting for Aeons to protect her, no Auron to jump out at the last moment and save her. Even her friends assembled here would have to worry about themselves. She would have to worry about herself, too.

She was the leader of Spira, now. It was important that she grew up.

Yuna lifted the gun from Roarke's hand and it was lighter than she had expected. The cold metal felt good in her hands and she hoped that, with practice, it would no longer feel so foreign an object but become just an extension of her hand.

Grinning, she regarded the quiet Roarke, who's face looked neither pleased or upset with her decision. "Thank you," she said, "and I look forward to the lessons you will no doubt have to give me."

He grunted noncommittally and then handed her belt. "You'll need to put it somewhere when you're not using it."

After she had taken the brown leather belt from his hands, he turned and walked back to the window, peering out of it. She thought for a moment that he looked anxiously to the sunrise, but figured that he was merely bored by preparations.

Yuna started to fasten the belt around her waste and then giggled, her first heartfelt sign of happiness in days. She looked ridiculous carrying a gun at her side when she was dressed in her delicate summoning gown. With a quick look towards her friends, who showed no sign of hurrying to run out the door, Yuna slipped out of the hall and dashed towards her room to change.

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It felt good to finally get her claws out of the bag she kept them in. Slipping them back on her hands had been like reuniting with an old friend. Rikku knew that feeling well, she had just reunited with Wakka and Lulu. They looked so happy together she couldn't help but squeal and bounce on her heels, asking excitedly when they were going to have a baby and if she could come and baby sit for them. Tidus had rolled his eyes at her, but she knew that he was thinking of yesterday morning, just as she was. He had asked her to marry him! She knew it had not been a real proposal; they had only been together six months and were still teenagers. They hadn't even told anyone but her father and brother. It had just been a secret promise to each other that they were in love and would remain that way no matter what happened on this journey.

Still, she couldn't help but struggle to keep the wild grin from her face and every time it seemed to break through her solemn expression, Tidus would see and wink at her. That made it even harder for her to keep a straight face and soon she was forced to pretend that her belongings were the most interesting things she had ever seen or everyone would think her a little mad to be smiling so much on the morning of such a grim day.

Getting to her feet after slipping her claws on, Rikku began to move in place, bouncing from heel to heel as she took a few practice swings at the air. Unused to their weight, she swung too softly and knocked herself off balance back into Tidus' waiting arms. She looked up at him in surprise, and then grinned sheepishly.

"Oops?"

Lulu smiled that grin of her that said she was far more amused on the inside than her stone expression was letting on. "Well, Rikku, since you just interrupted our conversation on who would be carrying the food rations, perhaps you should get that job?"

"Hey!" she replied, straightening herself and putting her hand on her hips. She had forgotten, however, that she was wearing a device that had sharp metal prongs protruding from them and her comment was followed by a loud yelp. Her friends laughed softly. Rikku felt her cheeks reddening in embarrassment but one look at the momentary joy on her friend's faces had her laughing along as well. The memory of the dream she had had the other night was still in haunting her and she knew these moments would be few and far between. It was important to embrace and enjoy them now, when laughter could still touch their eyes, before misery had touched their souls and it hurt too much to smile.

As Wakka clapped her heartily on the back, congratulating her on her perceptiveness, Roarke's cold presence interrupted their moment of happiness. Dressed only in black and with a face more stone cold than Lulu or Auron's had been, he was a walking mood-killer, able to chase the laughter from their mouths as surely as Sin had chased away the joy in Spira.

He paused at the edge of their tight group, taking in the faces of each of them. He paused longer on Lulu's; he had seemed to taking a liking to the woman, who dressed in similar colors and often wore similar expressions. Now, they seemed to be having a silent battle of eye contact, who's foul mood would beat the other's. It was amazing how easily Lulu was capable of slipping into that calculated face. Rikku had trouble even stopping her laughter, let alone draining all emotion from her face.

Gently, Wakka placed a hand on his wife's shoulder and drew her closer to his body, trying to come between the intense stare-off that was occurring between the two darkly dressed people. Eventually, Lulu turned away to give a small smile to her husband before walking away from the group entirely.

Rikku expected a sign of smug happiness to appear on Roarke's face after his victory, but his expression never changed. He bent down and picked up the pack that held the food rations they had been arguing over. Slinging it over his back, he said, "I'll take this. We should leave momentarily. We are wasting too much time standing around."

Tidus narrowed his eyes, clearly starting to get annoyed with the older man. "We know, we know! But, we're not going to make it too long in wherever we're going if we don't have the stuff we need with us! So give it a rest alright?" Tidus tried to do his best impression of Roarke's face but he came out looking constipated instead. Roarke sighed as though he was upset for having to deal with children, and walked away. "Hey," Tidus said as the black clad man walked away, "You were the one who begged for our help, remember? If you thought my help was valuable enough to travel all this way to ask for it, then don't treat me like a child, okay?"

Roarke didn't answer, just simply leaned his back against a wall and tipped his head down to look at the floor.

There was something about him that Rikku didn't like. Auron had been pensive and brooding like Roarke was, but somehow they remained completely different in her mind. Underneath Auron's hard exterior, she had known that he cared for each member of their group and would make sure that nothing happened to any of them. He has been especially protective of Yuna and some of that inner softness had managed to show in his otherwise hostile demeanor.

Roarke was completely different. He was dark, quiet, aloof and gave no sign that there was another side to him. It was something in his eyes, she decided finally. Auron had always worn his sunglasses, even indoors. She had always thought it had been to hide the scar on his face, but near the end of their journey, she had seen something unexpected in his eyes. They sparkled with joy and peace. Roarke's eyes were dead. His black pupils were so large they obstructed the hazel color of his eyes, and, unless you were standing nose to nose, made it look as though his eyes were completely devoid of color. They didn't shine in the light, they didn't possess knowledge of some hidden passion or desire. The skin around his eyes didn't wrinkle in a soundless display of laughter. They existed and they observed, as he did.

She was confused as to why Yuna treated him so kindly and friendly when he was being this rude to everyone. He asked US for help, just like Tidus said! What's wrong with this guy? Can't even be grateful that we're all risking our necks for this place we've never seen. Some of us are risking more than our necks…

Slyly, she risked a glance at Tidus, who she realized had paused in his work and was gaping at something by the doorway. His mouth was open in astonishment and his hand was paused in midair, about to pack a spare blanket. Rikku turned, her brow furrowed, wondering what could've spellbound him so.

Yuna was walking into the room, fastening a belt around her waist… only she didn't look a thing like Yuna any longer. Her beautiful summoner's dress had been discarded, replaced by an ankle-length blue skirt with three tiers of white ruffles evenly spaced from top to bottom. A slit had been cut on either side of the skirt, from bottom to mid-thigh, allowing for easier maneuvering. She wore a white linen shirt that had had its sleeves torn off over a pink lacey camisole. A pink hood protruded from neckhole and rested against her back. The top buttons on the linen shirt had been left open, so that the shirt fell to just above her cleavage. The top of the pink camisole peaked innocently out. Around her waist was a brown leather belt with what appeared to be a gun resting in a holster at her right side.

Rikku was stunned. She had never seen her cousin looking so mature, beautiful and… well, sexy.

"Yunie!" she exclaimed before bounding over to the girl, who was blushing furiously. "Wow! You look so… different!" Rikku paused, then hurried to clarify. "In a good way, of course! You look amazing. Where did you get this outfit?"

Yuna blushed again and looked humbly away from her cousin's eyes. "I-I made it. Just now. All it took was a couple of alterations…"

The others had gathered around the pair now and were all brightly stating their agreeance with Rikku's praising comments. Tidus especially seemed keen on relating just how good Yuna looked and Rikku longed for a private moment with him so that she could smack him upside the head. Wakka chuckled and put a fatherly arm around Yuna's shoulders. "Looks like our girl's growin' up, eh?"

Lulu raised an eyebrow in response. "In more ways than one. Yuna, where did you get that gun?"

Yuna faltered, her mouth opened in a circle, her eyes downcast. She looked like a child who had been caught playing with something she shouldn't have been.

"I gave it to her," Roarke said matter-of-factly as he passed by the group on his way to exit the hall. "And I have had enough of this standing around. We are leaving now."

Yuna blushed again. "Of course. I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting," she said before hurrying off to carry her stuff.

Rikku stuck her tounge out at the back of Roarke's retreating form. "Geez, what a meanie this guy is! Can't even let us have a few moments to ourselves."

Yuna quickly gathered her things and rushed from the hall, desperate to show Roarke that she was indeed dedicated to this quest and wasn't just intent on playing dress up. As she ran, her gun beat awkwardly against her side. She knew it was something that would take slow getting used to.

Wakka and Lulu followed Yuna out next. Both Rikku and Tidus had been purposely slow in gathering their things together in hopes that they would have a brief moment alone. They knew it would probably be their last chance for awhile.

As Lulu's skirt disappeared around the doorframe, the two came together quickly, their lips meeting in an instant without the guidance of their eyes. It had already become second nature. Their kiss was brief and soon they pulled apart to look at each other. Tidus ran his hands along Rikku's arms, something that always managed to make her calm and even a little bit sleepy.

"Tidus?" she said dreamily.

"Mmm?," he replied, resting his chin on the top of her head and continuing his stroking.

"You really liked Yunie's outfit, huh?"

His stroking stopped and suddenly a large lump had found its way into his throat. "Well, I uh… its just different that's all."

Rikku put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Different from what? Me?"

He grinned then, knowing that she was messing with him and reached for her hand to pull her tightly against his body and hold her for a moment. He had only just grasped her hand when they heard an impatient cough coming from the doorway. Both jumped, expecting Yuna to be standing there, furious and grief-stricken all at once, but it was Roarke, watching them with his colorless eyes.

"Get a move on you two. No time for romantic rendezvous."

As he walked away, Rikku and Tidus exchanged worried looks. Did he know? Had he seen more than he let on? Would he tell Yuna?

Tidus gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and mouthed "it'll be okay." He wasn't about to let a big old brooding brute like him stand in between what they were feeling. And, if he took it upon himself to tell Yuna, well… he would just have to kill him, that's all.

Quickly separately, the two grabbed their things, throwing a pack or two onto their backs. They walked quickly, catching up with the rest of their group as they walked out the front doors of the palace. No one waited outside to cheer for their departure, to cheer for what they were willing to sacrifice. No one knew what they were embarking on; it had been planned that way. There was no need for the people of Spira to worry that another Sin was approaching their way, especially if it could be defeated before the threat ever reached them. When… if… they came back, the people would still never know. Their mission was secret, their mission was dangerous. But, they did it because they loved their land. They did it because they loved each other. When the consequences were this big, a life was a small thing to part with to ensure that the person you loved would live a long life of peace and happiness.