Disclaimer: I own nothing! Except for my characters, my sciences that I add, and the creatures I put in it. The rest goes to Square Enix

My first story. It's going to sound rather original for the first few chapters that I post up, but as the story moves along you'll notice it's a science fiction/romance/adventure/friendship I've got a good feeling about this story so I really think you all will enjoy it.

I've proofread this thing four times! Gah! But, if you see any other mistakes that I've missed, let me know. And critique me as much as you like. :)

First Impressions

Clang, clang, clang, smash! I gasped with surprise and pain asI fell hard against a stone wall that surrounded the corner street that was momentarily deserted. A large katana was held at my throat while the man, inches away from my face, glared down at me with one russet eye.

I clenched my teeth, breathing heavily from the hard fight I had just had with him along with two of his "side kicks" who had run off long ago. Should have killed this guy when I had the chance! I thought as I glared right back up at the notorious man.

My sword had been knocked right out of my hands when I had been shoved so harshly on the ground, and it had clattered, loudly several yards away from me.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you!" The man exclaimed in anger, a dark liquid caressing his temple and brow as it ran from the wound I had inflicted on him with the hilt of my sword.

I had planned on killing him, but I thought that knocking him out would make it easier. Unfortunately, the other two who were with him had attacked me before I could get around to it.

The dark man pressed his sword against my neck, causing my skin to break and I felt the warm trickle of blood and the sting of the sharp blade as it cut through my nerves and veins. gritting my teeth, I was determined to stand my ground, or in my case, sit.

"Humph! You seem eager to die." He growled.

I clenched my fists next to me, moving one of them slowly down as I moved my face about two centimeters closer to his face, trying to keep his attention on me.

"I would say the same to you. Bringing all these fiends into Luca- what could you possibly gain from that?"

The man's eye flickered from anger to confusion, but only for a moment. I continued to slide my hand down towards my right leg.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I do know that you've caused me a lot of trouble!"

He pressed a little harder against his sword as he said this. I winced in pain, then felt my fingers brush against the leather that was tied around my leg, a leather pocket stitched to the outside of it.

"Don't play dumb with me." I hissed. "Word was given that you caused this. I'm simply putting an end to your miserable life." I said smugly, my fingers slowly grasping the cool metal hilt of the dagger.

"By who?" He asked with a skeptical look. I smirked.

"By Maester Seymour himself!"

With these words, in one swift motion, I withdrew the dagger from its belt and, with all my strength, I brought it down towards his neck. My dagger was sure to cut through and sink deep into his flesh. I had just sharpened it this morning.

All at once my forearm was gripped tightly by his other hand that I hadn't realized was free and my eyes widened in surprise.

I cried out in pain as he gripped my arm tighter, causing me to lose my grip on the dagger, which, also clattered to the stone ground. The man, still glaring, got closer to my face, his scent reminding me of worn leather and silk.

"Wrong move." He growled low in his throat, pressing down harder against his sword.

"Sir Auron!" A woman's voice shouted from behind us, causing both the man, addressed as Auron, and I to pause and turn. Auron only gave a small glance, making sure to keep an eye on me.

The woman stood with her arms crossed over her giant bosoms that were barely covered by an off the shoulder, long black dress that reached the floor. What was more bizarre were the many black belts of different sizes and looks that were attached to the front of the dress.

Who's she? His girlfriend?

Her hair was as black as the night, tied tightly back in a bun with long braids that fell from it behind her. Her facial expression was just as dark. Dark, like the one Auron had on his face. Except, her lips were full and painted purple, matching her eyes that glared in his direction.

"What are you doing to that poor girl?" Auron turned back to me, keeping his one eyed glare as he answered.

"This woman tried to kill me."

Suddenly, I heard several footsteps approaching fast from behind the woman, and when I looked up there stood the two men I had seen before, a large, blue Ronso, and a young woman garbed in a summoner's outfit.

Summoner? My eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on me. Whoops.

"Yeah! And she tried to kill me and Wakka, too!" The blonde boy pointed at me accusing, a wave of fear passing over his face as I glared up at him.

How was I suppose to know you were all guardians?

The tall red head, referred to as Wakka, crossed his arms over his muscular chest and nodded, glaring at me as well.

"That's right." He agreed and Auron smirked from above me.

"Three against one. You're dead."I glared up at him, a contrast of what I felt.

If I had known this was all a fluke I wouldn't have tried to kill him!

"How was I to know you were a summoner party?" I tried to explain, but Auron just snorted.

"Let her explain." The dark woman suggested suddenly, "then we can decide whether or not to kill her."

At first, Auron didn't move. He sat there glaring down at me with his blade still stuck in my skin, which, was still bleeding.

"You heard the woman."

"Don't push your luck." Auron retorted as he finally pulled his blade away. He stood up and hefted the huge sword up on his shoulder, effortlessly, while I quickly got up with my dagger back in its sheath.

"Explanation, please." The blonde asked with crossed arms. I only gave him a glance before finally speaking.

"I was ordered by Lord Seymour to kill this man," I waved in Auron's direction, refusing to look at him, "because he had apparently been the cause of the sudden fiend attack." Many eyebrows raised at my explanation and I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Seymour told you this?" Wakka asked stupefied.

"I'm- I was his body guard for a time, and when the fiends showed up he told me he knew who it was and ordered me to dispose of him." I paused, letting this sink in.

"I was only following orders. But now that I know you aren't even remotely a threat to anyone…I apologize."

I bowed slightly and then looked up when I heard the dark woman speak.

"You are forgiven."

"Alls well that ends well." Wakka said as he shook his head and shrugged.

The young summoner suddenly moved away and began to walk past Auron and me. I didn't really pay any attention to her.

"Sorry I caused you so much trouble." I took a step back. "So, I'll leave now."

I turned, but when I did I stopped. There, stood the young summoner with my sword laying across her hands and looking up at me like she wanted to say something. I blinked in surprise and took a small step back. "Uh-"

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Cynyr."

The young woman smiled. "Lady Cynyr," I opened my mouth to object to this, but she continued to speak, "will you be my guardian?" She held out my sword to me as if it were the request itself. All her guardians stood in as much amazement as I.

"Yuna-" The blonde boy began from behind me, but Yuna didn't even acknowledge him. She just continued to stare up at me, waiting for my answer.

So, what? If I don't comply will she simply take my sword and run me through?

She didn't look like that sort of person, but she could easily have Auron do it. He would definitely be glad to.

"I- why would you want me to be your guardian?" I asked curiously.

Yuna lowered her hands a little as her expression changed a little.

"You seem very loyal to whomever is your master, and you seem like you would fight very well. I need someone like you." She explained finally. I raised a brow with surprise, feeling rather flattered. Then, I frowned.

"I'm sure your offer is promising…but I don't think I'm welcome by the others." I pointed out, my words more pointed at Auron more than the others. Auron seemed to catch this immediately.

"What's more important is to answer Yuna. Do you want to be her guardian or not?" He asked gruffly.

I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from reeling on him with my own rude remarks.

"Yuna…" I began slowly.

Aw, what the heck! It's not like I have much of a life anyway at the moment. Perhaps this could be my turning point. Yuna seemed to be looking up at me hopefully.

"I accept your offer. I promise to be the guardian you seek. I'll protect you even if it means that it'll cost my life." I vowed. Yuna beamed and handed me my sword as if it were a prize I had won.

I'm really starting to wonder if she would have given it back to me if I hadn't accepted.

I took it by the hilt and sheathed it behind me at my back and gave her a small smile.

"Then, it's settled." Auron said from the sidelines.

I turned to face the rest of the guardians. They seemed to approve of Yuna's and my decision from the looks on their faces. Although, I could clearly see the reluctance on both the blonde's and Wakka's face.

"I've only caught a few of your names…"

"I'm Lulu…and this is Wakka-"

"Hey, I can introduce myself!" Lulu looked away from him, clearly annoyed by his childish behavior.

"I'm Tidus, and that's Kimahri-" Tidus waved up at the large Ronso who crossed his large arms over his muscular chest.

"Kimahri can introduce himself!" He growled mockingly, pointedly at Wakka. The tall red head seemed to glare up at Kimahri, but then he began to laugh a loud and hearty laugh, followed by Tidus's higher pitched laugh and Yuna's giggling. She stood beside me now, her hands clasped together in front of her as she watched her guardians.

"Well, I suppose we should get going." Yuna finally said. The others turned and nodded with agreement and began to walk past me. I turned to follow when I felt someone grab my shoulder. It was Wakka.

"Hey, no hard feelings about earlier, ya?" I nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, same here." Tidus said from the other side of me, and we began to walk through the streets of Luca to a stone staircase.

"Where are you from?" Lulu asked from behind me.

"Well…I," I stammered, "I'm kind of a traveler. I've never really stayed in one place for to long." I tried to explain the best I could.

"Really?" Tidus asked with a raised brow. "Where's your family?" I glanced over at him then looked away as I replied, "dead."

"Oh, sorry, I wasn't- I didn't-" I shook my head.

"It's fine. I never really knew them so it doesn't matter." I shrugged, and for a moment there was silence.

"Oh. Sin?" He asked and I nodded.

Everyone has lost someone in Spira. Everyone. I thought sadly.

Stay strong my child. I suddenly heard Ida's voice echo from inside my head. One of the Fayth. She was my foster mother who had adopted me so long ago…

We climbed the last of the stone stairs, finding ourselves on the Highroad that would lead us to Mushroom Rock and then to D'jose where there was a temple that Yuna would pray at.

I guess I won't be retuning to Seymour as "body guard" now. I mentally laughed to myself. I was glad though. His aura was so haunting and creepy, I didn't think I would have been able to return to him, even if it was just collecting my pay.

I had enough of my own gil to last me awhile. What's he got against Auron? No matter how hard that is to NOT figure out. I thought grimly as I suddenly remembered the cut on my neck. The blood had dried and I reached up to touch it. I scratched away most of it that wasn't directly on the wound then left it alone to heal on its own. It wouldn't take long for it to heal either.

I glanced up at Auron who was walking ahead of everyone like he had a stick up his butt, which is probably the reason why he was acting so rude and grouchy. You know…come to think of it. I don't recall him forgiving me for earlier.

Be patient, Cynyr. Ida's voice echoed into my mind. I pursed my lips and fought the urge to sigh.

Suddenly, we began to approach a woman with a long green decorated dress, her ears covered by what looked like decorated, fancy, large cups.

Is that a fashion statement?

The woman seemed to be desperately trying to get something across to a Crusader who was standing in front of her, a stern look on his face. As we got closer we caught a few words from the woman and the man. I heard, teachings, obeying, Yevon from the woman and operation, in charge, Maester, and fiends from the Crusader.

Just from these little bits of their conversation, I had a pretty good idea of what they were arguing about. The Crusader abruptly left the woman, sauntering off down the road as the woman stood there in distress. We approached her and she looked up with surprise as she saw Yuna.

"Oh, Lady Yuna!" She exclaimed. The rest of us stood about, listening and watching as Yuna and the woman began to speak with one another. "My name's Shilenda." Yuna nodded with a smile and bowed to her. Shilenda returned the bow.

"What seems to be the matter?" Yuna asked curiously.

"Well, that Crusader just informed me that they plan on taking Sin on with machine and fiends near Mushroom Rock. The operation will surely fail. Sin is an inevitable part of Spira, and trying to use the very thing that was the source of Sin against him will only bring destruction and death!" She exclaimed. Yuna and the rest of us immediately became interested.

"The teachings of Yevon must be upheld!" Shilenda exclaimed, and Wakka instantly agreed with a nod.

"I tried to warn him," she continued, "but they won't listen to me. I'm just a stupid acolyte." Yuna immediately disagreed with this.

"No, of course you're not! Don't put yourself down so harshly." Shilenda looked up with a small smile. "Well, thank you Lady Yuna." Then she bowed again before turning to leave.

"I'll be leaving now. Good luck on your Pilgrimage." She called over her shoulder. Yuna bowed as well and then we all turned back to the road. As we walked, I could hear Wakka muttering under his breath; something about machina and Al Bhed.

We had only been walking for five minutes when, on Chocobos, came riding down the road towards us were three warriors. I guessed that they were patrolling the Highroad. Either that or they were Crusaders as well. Yuna stopped as they approached us, two women and a young man.

"Hello, I am Lucille. Captain of the D'jose Chocobo Knights." The first woman greeted.

"And I'm Elma. We've been charged to guard the highroad."

"There have been reports of a large fiend appearing in the area for a taste for Chocobos. Do take care summoner if you are to rent any Chocobos" Lucille warned. Yuna bowed graciously.

"We will be careful, thank you." Lucille smiled.

"Good. Then we shall get back to our rounds. Farewell."

"A large fiend, eh?" Tidus said mostly to himself as he crossed his arms.

"Lets go get him!" He punched the air as he said this

"Why?" Auron asked.

"It's the right thing to do."

"It's the right thing to do?" Auron repeated with amusement, then began to chuckle.

"What'd I say now?"

"Jecht said that a lot too."

Tidus rolled his eyes, obviously not interested in this bit of information. I figured that this man, Jecht, was once Tidus's father.

Not long after traveling farther down the road we were greeted by three large, snarling fiends, wanting more than anything to kill us for satisfaction.

I wonder what would happen if they killed everyone in Spira?

Yuna immediately stepped up and began to summon one of her aeons while the rest of us quickly stepped back at a safe distance. The air around us seemed to shatter and blast loudly as Velfore, her first aeon burst through the clouds in a blinding light to land gracefully by her side. The beautiful creature folded its wings back as he crouched and then fired its attack at the fiends that stood before it.

In seconds, one fiend died and the other two were fatally wounded. Yuna smiled up at her aeon and nodded her thanks and in a flash the aeon was gone. Auron, Lulu, and Tidus immediately drew up as Yuna backed out, beginning to attack the nearly dead fiends.

With a spell from Lulu, a hit from Tidus and Auron the fiends dispersed into millions of singing Pyerflies that floated their way up to the heavens. At the sight of them, I couldn't help but feel homesick. Memories of my former life as a child of the Fayth came crashing down on me.

I quickly shook them from my head, mentally, and began walking again with the others.

As we passed by several old statues and remains of old buildings we came across yet another woman who wanted to talk to us.

Geez! Lets just talk to the whole world while were at it!

"Ah, a summoner party." Her voice was cool and soft a she spoke, causing chills to run across my arms. There was just something about her voice and the way she looked at Yuna that I didn't like. Yuna bowed to the woman who continued to just stand there.

"My name is Belgaminge."

"I am Yuna." Belgaminge smiled with recognition.

"Ah, the high summoner's daughter. I've heard much about you. But you are still fresh on the road…are you not?"

"Yes, I am."

"Hmm…I may have a few things to teach you. Let us see who's aeons are stronger. A one on one match. Not to the death, of course." She explained.

"I'll do my best."

"Good."

And so the match began. Belgaminge summoned Ifrit, a giant beast with fiery red fur and a muscular body, his claws as long as my summoned her aeon next, Valfore, who swooped down and landed gracefully next to her.

Yuna went first, firing at Ifrit but it was immune to its attack. Ifrit attacked next and wounded Valefore, but when Valfore attacked with something that looked like twelve explosions all going off at once, it defeated Ifrit immediately.

"Well, you show promise. But with more practice, you may be able to defeat Sin." Belgaminge said with a smile as her aeon disappeared. Yuna smiled and after a few more words we were back on the road for several hours.

As the sun sank lower in the sky we finally approached an Al Bhed Travel Agency. Auron stopped.

"We rest here." He began to walk towards the place.

"But this is an Al Bhed shop, ya."

I glanced over at Wakka warily as he stood with his arms crossed. Auron stopped and then turned to face Wakka.

"Is that a problem?"

"They don't believe in Yevon. And in Luca they-" Wakka stopped for a moment, "They kidnapped Yuna!"

"Where were her guardians?"

Wakka immediately slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. Lulu shook her head, a hand at her temple.

"Sir Auron is just concerned about your health." Yuna said from behind Wakka.

Psh!

"I'm not tired one bit!" Wakka exclaimed with his hands on his hips.

"Well," Auron turned away from Wakka, "I am." Reluctantly, the rest of us followed.

Yay! The first chapter! Please review what you think. Correct me where I'm wrong and what should be fixed ect. ect. And thank you for reading! :)