Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

It didn't take long to get to Bevelle's path from the spring, but the walk to the city's main gate took time.
Ann~How much longer, daddy?
Auron~Shouldn't be much longer.
They walked on for a few minutes before they were stopped by some warrior monks
Warrior Monk 1~What are you doing at this time of night.
Ann's breath hitched. Something about this made her not like it. This guy wasn't scary, but the situation was almost like deja vu.
Auron~We've just come in from Thunder Plains and through Macalania Forest. We just need a place to rest for the night.
Ann noticed a guard look right at her, making her heart race and clench her hands to keep from reacting.
Warrior Monk 2~And the girl? Interesting specimen to pick. Guess you take what's available.
Auron~As I said, we've been traveling. My daughter and I are tired. If we're not able to enter, just say so. We'll be on our way.
Warrior Monk 1~That one will escort you to the nearest inn. There's a curfew in place. Be on your way.
Auron~That's fine. Lead on then.
He held his hand out to Ann.
Auron~Let's go.
Ann held his hand then his arm when she got next to him.

They followed another warrior monk in silence for a short while until they got to the inn. Auron thanked him and then they went inside
Auron~Are you alright? You were tense the whole walk.
Ann~Can we get the room first?
He nodded and they went to the counter to get a room. Once they got in their room, they removed their things then he led her to the bed.
Auron~What's wrong, dear?
Ann~I didn't like how they approached us.
Auron~Were they that threatening? Or just the filth they said?
Ann scoffed~Hell no. They weren’t scary. It was…it was the situation and what was said. I think it was something similar with Zabuza.
Auron raised a brow, but let her continue. It's not like he could take the airship and drive it to the Leaf to interrogate him. Better to be patient for now.
Ann~I'm not really sure, dad. It was a long time ago, back in the Mist. I remember being cold, and I remember an Anbu or a hunter nin.
Auron~You were small. It's understandable that you don't remember. Do you feel better now that we're not with that guard?
She sighed and nodded.
Auron~That's all that matters for now then. You go ahead and wash up first. I'll fix something to eat. We can have a proper meal in the morning
Ann~Okay, daddy.
She hugged him and headed off to the bathroom. Auron wondered what happened in the Mist. He could only guess it was related to Yagura based on what Ane had told him before. Seems like he'd need to thank Zabuza at some point for actually keeping her safe. He may not have chosen to care for Ann, but he really stepped up when they couldn't.

The next morning they packed up. Neither wanted to stay longer than needed because of last night.
Auron~Ready to go eat? You have everything?
Ann~Yeah. Is there anything worthwhile here? Or can we go?
Auron~At best the temple. But I don't particularly want to go there either.
Ann~Is it because of the training and marriage thing?
Auron~Mostly, yeah. There's also the whole Final Aeon deal
Ann~You said that it recreated Sin that way, right?
He nodded with a hum. They checked their things once more then headed downstairs for breakfast.

After they ate, they left the inn and followed the main road to leave the city
Auron~How're you feeling? Are you okay?
Ann~I'm fine. Why are you fussing? Are YOU okay?
Auron~I kept thinking about what you recalled. It started to sound more traumatic than you remembered.
Ann~You think so?
He hummed and nodded.
Ann~Maybe…That guy last night…the one who asked about me, had the same look as the one in the Mist. It was unsettling. I know how it feels to be looked at as a weapon, but that look…I was an object…
He wrapped his arm around her to pull her into a hug and kiss her head.
Auron~If politics weren't an issue, I would've taken him down. You know that, right?
Ann~But what if I wanted to?
Auron~Hmmm not that time. I usually would let you, but I'd need to claim that one.
Ann~A guy thing?
Auron~Father thing. Zabuza would too.
Ann giggled, then frowned again, her mind circling back to that night she couldn’t quite remember
Ann~That one at the Mist though…Zabi didn't…I know I wasn't supposed to exist but…
Auron~It was when the Mizukage was…slipping, I guess you could say. It's likely the chain of command was corrupt too.
Ann~Zabuza said something like that once too.
Auron~He did well in caring for you, honey. Even though I still think he's a hardass.
Ann~Why are you guys like that?
Auron~You don’t want to know. She doesn't need to know her uncle was a cockblock…
Ann~It has to be good then. Tell meeee
She playfully tugged arm. He chuckled when he pulled away and hit her.
Auron~Cut it out, brat. You wouldn’t like it anyway.

The roads they took made them pass the main roadway to the temple, where they came across the Gullwings. Ann ran ahead and hugged Rikku first.
Rikku~Hey! Wha– Ann!
She hugged her back.
Yuna~Hello, Ann. Is Sir Auron not with you?
Ann and Yuna hugged next.
Ann~Catching up still.
Paine~What are you guys doing here?
Ann~We were just leaving.
Auron arrived and greeted the girls before addressing Ann.
Auron~Wait next time. Okay, dear?
Ann~Sorry, daddy.
Leblanc and her cronies walked up as Ann spoke.
Leblanc~Daddy? I didn't expect you to have that sort of taste, dear.
Yuna hesitantly~Uhhh…That's not–
Paine~Don't say anything. It's like Gippal all over again.
Ann~Way worse though
Rikku giggled with a devilish grin while Auron sighed. He wished he could just pick up Ann and walk away, but that wouldn't look good on him, and he wasn't sure if Ann would put up a fight and make it look worse.
Leblanc~Now Auron, dearest, there's no reason to settle with someone inexperienced like her.
She started towards Auron making Ann growl
Ann~You touch him again I'll do more than throw you!
Leblanc~Ormi, Logos. You know what to do.
Ormi~You got it, boss!
Logos~This kid won't get past us.
Yuna~Wait! This isn't–
Leblanc~You might be a muscle daddy for her, but I can be your sugar mommy.
Leblanc leaned against Auron making his left arm touch her exposed belly.
Auron~Ann, do it.
Ann maneuvered around the Gullwings and the cronies in the blink of an eye and wrapped an arm around Leblanc to throw her into the waterway. She then jump-kicked Ormi into Logos. Logos had difficulty helping his round comrade back up while Leblanc stood up, soaking wet and her hair sticking to her face.
Leblac~You wretched brat!
Ann~Skanky hoe!
Auron~Thank you, honey. We're finished here.
Ann~But–!
Auron put his arm around her to keep her from charging.
Auron~They're not shinobi. You've done enough.
Ann wasn't finished through, and still spoke out
Ann~That's two strikes Le-b***h!
He sighed in exasperation and led her along.
Auron~Let us know the next time they're in your company, girls. Good luck in whatever you're doing.
Ann turned around to walk backwards and flipped off the syndicate with both hands. Auron didn't bother reprimanding her.
Leblanc~The nerve of that woman!
Logos~Would it kill you to lose some weight, Ormi?
Ormi~It wouldn't help! I'm stuck on my shield!
Leblanc~The both of you are useless! You said she wouldn't get by you!
Rikku~Are you sure we can't tell her?
Paine~You think she'll actually listen?
Rikku~Good point…
She crossed her arms and tilted her head, watching the Leblanc Syndicate.
Yuna~I almost wish they could have stayed. I think they would've been a great help. I almost feel bad for Leblanc though…
Leblanc climbed out of the waterway and made her way to her henchmen and hit them both with her fan.
Paine~Don't. Ann warned her. And considering the alternative, this is better.
Logos finally rolled Ormi off. The other two started to pull Ormi up
Rikku~You’re right. If Auron was ready to blast Gippal, who knows what Ann would do unrestrained.
Ormi finally got to his feet. They came back to the girls in defiant victory.
Leblanc~Let's find Baralai already.

Ann~She objectified you.
Auron~And you stepped in when I allowed it because I couldn't. Thank you, honey.
She scoffed and crossed her arms.
Ann~I'm cutting off her arms if it happens for a third time.
Auron~We could probably just tell her that I'm your father at the next meeting. If there's going to be one I mean.
Ann~She's denser than Gippal
Auron~All the more reason to tell her first…Aren't you wearing your mother's locket?
Ann~Psychological warfare. That's better because it doesn't have to be tied to a single place.
She started to mutter to herself on how she could play on Leblanc's logic and behavior to make the reveal a humbling experience for the blonde.