As the group seemed split up a bit Mieli was somewhat concerned about why Shinu handled the situation the way he did.

"You're really collecting guardians recently."

Shinu knew there was more to it than that.

"Yeah and what else?"

He said this almost reluctantly.

"Do you really feel like you can trust all of these people? Tiffany seems fine, but she's been travelling with us for awhile and helped us out quite a bit. It makes sense for her to be a guardian. The priest and the theif bring concerns though. They don't like each other, and that's just the natrualism of the way things are, but both of them guardians. The thief's already stolen from an old crippled temple priest. He might accept being your guardian just to steal from you. You don't know much about him either, he could slit your throat for a nickel for all you know. The priest, well I never liked priests, but somehow I see him having other objectives than going on a pilgrimage. I have enough babysitting around here keeping you out of trouble. So if you want him to come along, don't expect me to hold his hand and carry him over Gagazet. Are you sure about these two? You can go back on your word. A summoner has the right to do whatever is best for his pilgrimage."

Tif sighed. She began to make her way out of the area and back to the village. Everything seemed to be sorted out now, and if not, she didn't want to deal with all the drama. "Geez, these people seem so... Ugh! And those two from Besaid! What the hell!? It's our business, stay out of it!" As she continued to walk away, her ramblings on the new people flew on in Al Bhed.

Reaching the village, she passed Asuma, not saying a word, not looking at him. As she continued walking through the village, she dully sat herself on the temple steps where the party was before this whole mess happened. She placed her elbows on her knees and placed her chin between her hands and sighed, seeming a little disappointed.

As the party followed the grumpy middle aged man back to the village, Shinu strolled side by side with Mieli, knowing he was going to be questioned. It was fair, and if anyone was going to understand what Shinu was thinking, Mieli was the guy. It was understandable that he was concerned about Shinu's radical decision making as of late.

I definitely understand your concerns Mieli, I know it all seems crazy. I'll answer your question about trust first. I don't trust anyone but you so far, it's been that way for a long time. I like Tiffany, and I think we should keep her with us because she's got a good heart and she's fun to be around. Not to mention, as you said, she's been nothing but helpful.

Shinu looked up and down the path again and stared ahead to the grumpy old guy, wondering what he was really going to do with that weapon of his if the time came. He didn't seem to be in too bad of a shape for an older guy, probably in his forties or so. He seemed respectful towards the temples and resenting towards Yevon, not a bad line of thinking.

Erk, the Guado man, has also helped. He may not get along well with anyone in the group, but beating Sin is not about getting along, it's our job now. He provides a key service to the group in having knowledge and connections at the temples. I'm not asking you to baby sit him, he has to look out for himself like all guardians do.

As for the thief, I think he can prove his worth on the battlefield, call it a hunch. Besides, I want to keep him around long enough to kick his ass myself. Consider it a personal favor aside from this pilgrimage Mieli.

A heavy sigh escaped Shinu as they entered the village at last, though it wasn't really a long walk, it sure seemed that way.

I'm relying on self interest you know. It's the way I've always felt that things worked in our world that way. This may be my story, but everyone has their own individual story that they must seek to finish as best they can. I doubt that there are too many actions that we execute that do not ultimately trace back to our own benefiting ways. Now I do not trust them personally yet, but I do trust that they will act with self interest in mind, and that will ultimately help our cause. I'm banking on the stories eventually crossing and overlapping and ultimately furthering each one along more than what was originally possible. That's what I want, for my book to go far, far enough to see it's end.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to my guardian for a moment. Go to where this man is taking us, make sure it's safe, make sure the Guado and thief don't kill each other. Give me just a few moments and I'll return to you. If you'll be so kind, please get the names and ages of these men who have become my guardians, and tell me when I get back. It's going to be a long journey Mieli, we're just getting started.

Shinu gave him a nod and made his way over to the temple, a little distance from the hut everyone was now entering. Tiffany was there, and obviously in a bit of distress. Shinu wasn't sure as to why, but he was hoping to find out.

Hey Tif. Pretty strange turn of events huh? Look, I apologize for not telling you I was a summoner, but truthfully, I wasn't a summoner until you saw me come out of the temple. I'd like two things from you Ms. Tiffany Kop, first, I'd like for you to become my guardian, and second, I'd like to know what's bothering you.

Peacefully sitting down on the temple steps, the party once again made their way into the village, this time acting like normal human beings. As some of the others made their way into a hut, Shinu approached her and asked two things she knew would come sooner and not later.

"Well, sir, I would like to be your guardian." Seemingly, her answer for being a guardian came spontaneously. "As for your second concern... Um, I just left before everyone got on my nerves too soon. Hee hee..."

Everything seemed to be in the clear now, except she was not going to be taking these "new" guardians too lightly, though she would keep her natural "bitchiness" to a limit.

"Oh! And by the way, isn't there some kind of inn somewhere? I don't want to sleep in the same room with people I don't really know."

Shinu laughed just a little bit when Tiffany called him sir, and a large smile came across his face when Tif agreed to become his guardian. Of all the things that went on today, this was probably the best thing so far. Tiffany's skill set had yet to be proven, but having her around was nice, and probably meant that Shinu had a new friend. Everyone knows that friends are hard to come by, and Shinu just made a good one.

He couldn't respond before Tif moved on to the next subject, she wasn't short on conversationalist skills. This group certainly wasn't short on those who could talk their way out of trouble it seemed. Now she just made Shinu laugh, it turns out that even Ms. Sweet-Help-Anyone Tiffany had her irritability just like everyone else. She was too funny.

Everyone getting on your nerves huh? Sorry to hear that Tif, but maybe everyone will grow on you.

Shinu's cheeks were starting to hurt with laughter that he was trying so hard to suppress. He clutched his stomach one time and looked over at Tif. He got to his feet and then took her hand in his to help her up.

Come on Tif, maybe we can leave today get on a boat. I'll see to it that you have your own room or whatever it is you need. Haha, you crack me up. We need to find someone that doesn't annoy you.

Shinu gave Tif a light hug with one arm as they walked side by side back to the hut. Just when things started to look gloom, Tif went and made it better without trying. They finally entered the hut, and to Shinu's shock, the grump guy led them to the hut that belonged to that pretty girl cooking in the kitchen. He'd forgotten all about that. When things go right, they really go right for Shinu.

Sitting, Tif noticed Shinu hold out his hand so he could help her up. Tif, though, had other plans about getting off her butt. So instead, she positioned her legs and sprung up like a water spout. "Thanks for the offer, anyways."

"And about the boat... I think that would be great! I've have enough of Besaid for now." With that, Tif gave Shinu a grin as he swung one arm over her and gave her a light hug. After Shinu made a move, he lead her to a small hut, which belonged to the girl she had met earlier that day, Kat.

"Heeeey, do you know where we are? This seems like somebody elses home! Which I am sure they'll be angry if they find us in here!" The inside of the hut was very well-kept and clean, and it had a touch of girly-ness, in which Tif thought did belong to a woman.

Going aginst her own words, she approached a small table with a mound of fruit inside. Being hungry, she grabbed a green pear and hungrily bit into it. "Mmm! Hey, Shinu! This is good!" Tif continued to take bites of the sweet and juicy fruit while standing inside the small hut with Shinu.

Kat looked at Axel smiling as he was eating, his father did good teaching him how to survive and that's why she was sure that his father was still alive too. Even though he seemed scared at first he opened up to her and that was a relief for her. The only thing that Kat was worrying about was if he won't get scared of the summoner.

"Axel, I need to see if summoner is here already, don't worry I am not going anywhere, I just need to open the door."

She smiled at him ready to go to the door when she heard footsteps. Not long after to the hut came Asuma and other people who seemed like guardians to her. Then after a while entered an Al Bhed girl and the summoner. Kats face turned red, but she quickly turned around and walked to Axel. She knew he could be scared seeing so many people in her hut. To calm him down she rest her hand on his shoulder and smiled softly.

"This are guardians Axel. They make sure no one will hurt the summoner while he's on the pilgrimage."

Then she smiled at her father avoiding Shinu's eyes.

"Father, I am glad you are here, I believe they are hungry right? I'll make something then. I am glad you like the fruits Tif. You can take all of them if you want."

Kat smiled kindly looking at Tif. She turned around and started preparing food for the summoner and his guardians. Her cheeks were burning hot and she was aware that her face was red from embarassment. She couldn't just run away and she knew it, these people needed help and so Axel did. When the food was ready she stood behind Axel inviting them to eat.

When Shinu entered the hut he could see that some of the people were a bit uneasy around each other, and that was fine, he imagined that would happen so it wasn't a big concern. Food was a concern however, and Shinu was hungry as usual. While the food was being prepared he mostly walked around the hut, checking things out and making sure to walk past the girl every so often. He took the time to learn a few names and make sure that everyone knew his so that he could get that out of the way.

He had two final things to address though before he could finally take a break. First he walked over to the girl who was nice enough to take in his party and feed them. She was still cooking when he reached her, so he didn't want to take up too much of her time. She was considerably shorter than him, so he had to lean down to whisper in her ear.

Thanks for the hospitality. I'll have to find a way to repay you in private.

With that, he walked off to thank the man who led them to the hut and gave him a hand shake and thank him again. Something caught his eye when he did though, and there was a little boy waiting out back seemed to be shying away from everyone. Shinu was fond of kids, and always seemed to be pretty good with the young boys of the town who looked up to him. He went to him gave him a wave, but before he could talk to him, the food was ready.

We'll talk soon little buddy, let's eat!

Shinu gathered his food and popped a squat on the floor to begin to devour his food like he'd done so many times. The food was tasty, and maybe very slightly even reminded him of his mother's food.

Hey this is great! Thanks again for all the help.

While Kat was cooking she heard Shinu tell her about repaying her in privet. That shocked her and her hands were shaking, but she calmed down after a bit thinking that she have to help Axel. That's why she was waiting for Shinu to finish eating before talking with him. Kat turned to her father though.

"Father, this is Axel. I found him while looking after you. He's homeless and we need to find his father. It can be hard without Shinu though, he's a summoner..."

She was talking quietly so no one except Asuma would hear her. She wasn't so comfortable with so many people at her hut, but she wanted to help them that's why she was smiling at them kindly.