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Upon arriving at the inn, they saw Elma and Lucil on their chocobos and Teyr standing between them.
Ann~Should we still entertain the apology?
Auron~It’d be rude not to. Seems like he got his a** chewed out after you handed it to him too.
He chuckled as they came closer. Auron stopped early while Ann came closer to the three. She saw that Teyr was subtly shifting his weight side to side and his face was something between shame and broken pride.
Lucil~Welcome to the inn Sir Auron, Lady Ann.
Elma~This guy has something to say.
She gave him a gentle kick to urge him forward. Teyr grumbled as he side-eyed Elma, then brought his full attention to Ann. He bowed to her
Teyr~I’m sorry for the way I acted. My actions were not reflective of the Youth League’s morals and standard protocols.
Ann crossed her arms and he shifted on his feet again.
Teyr~I also acted out of line before listening to the debrief that would have explained Jeno’s feelings about the matter. I was acting cocky and self-righteous. I took a stupid chance to make myself look better and instead got my a** beat by a girl.
Ann~That’s better. I accept the apology.
She gave him a firm clap to the arm and moved him to the side so she could give Lucil and Elma a proper greeting. Then she turned back around to Teyr.
Ann~By the way, you not only got your a** handed to you by a girl, I’m also only thirteen
His eyes widened and Elma snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. She was right about Ann being on the younger side.
Lucil~Are you sure there isn’t a way we could convince you to train our recruits? He could use it.
Ann~I could give him a crash course if it means I could pick on him some more. Would that be alright, Commander?
Elma~I vote yes.
Teyr~I don’t get a say in this?
Auron~She thinks of you as a friend now. She just wants permission because you’re part of a group.
Ann~Don’t out me like that, Dad.
Teyr~Dad?! He’s your father? But…that-that broadcast…
Lucil~Are you really going to listen to that over them?
Teyr~N-no…
Lucil~Lady Ann, you’re welcome to train him as you see fit. From the way he described your movements, it sounds like he could actually learn something.
Auron~I’ll get us a room. It looks like you’ll have a couple hours before the storm hits. Training ends when he can’t stand anymore.
Teyr~I don’t get to say when I’ve had enough?
Auron~Son, she’s not going to let you give up. As long as your body can move, she’ll force your will to keep going. It’s how she’s survived for this long.
Ann handed over her pack to Auron as he went inside.
Elma~What does he mean by survive?
Ann~It’s a long story. Would you ladies like to join?
Lucil~We’ll decline for now. We wouldn’t have earned our ranks if we fought like him.
Teyr~That’s low, Commander…
Ann~Shut up. We’ll go near that ruin over there. There’s lots of room to throw you around.

Ann half-pulled and half-dragged Teyr with her to the field across the inn’s entrance. Elma and Lucil dismounted their chocobos to follow them and observe.
Ann~Take out your daggers. Let me see your stance
Teyr~Alright…
He did as asked, and she scoffed
Teyr~What?!
Ann~You hold them like you’re dual wielding swords. You have daggers. There’s no reach. You have to compensate for that by making yourself smaller and bringing your arms in. Do you prefer having one of them in a reverse grip like that? You held them both traditionally earlier.
Teyr~How do you remember that? Why do you have that knowledge at thirteen?
Ann~When you’ve been training to survive for the past ten years, you have to know a thing or two. Now, your preferred grips? Otherwise, you might be better off switching weapons.
Teyr~I like the reverse grip in my off-hand. I…I underestimated you when you didn’t use your sword…
Ann~That’s your first mistake. YOU underestimated your opponent. You’re better off overestimating. You never had the skill to adjust upwards.
Teyr~And you have the skills to adjust like that?
Ann~I’m teaching you, aren’t I?
He was about to say something, but quieted down. Auron joined them
Elma~Oooo sick burn.
Ann circled him once, then adjusted his arms, kicked his feet, and straightened his back as she explained.
Ann~Keep your elbows tucked to protect your ribs. You can’t breathe if your lungs get punctured. Your feet are too wide. It's as if you’re carrying a sword. You have daggers, dipshit. You don’t need a wide stance to compensate for the weight or reach. If you lean too far forward, you’ll get your face smashed or fall forward. Maybe both. Questions?
Teyr~Is this how you would position yourself?
Ann~No.
Teyr~Then why are you making me do this?
Ann~Based on how you attacked me, this should suit your style better. I have a completely different style. It’d be stupid if I train you in a way that doesn’t apply. That’d get you killed instead. If I wanted you dead, it’d have already happened
Auron~Stop making death threats. We talked about this.
Ann~I’m trying to prove a point!
Auron~Same.
Ann groaned and rolled her eye.
Auron~You keep that up, I’ll have to start disciplining you for being a brat.
Ann~Sorry…
Lucil~I’ve never seen you this…involved before.
Auron~Consider how precise she moves to correct the boy. Someone needs to remind her.
They looked back to see Ann strike Teyr and make him drop, winded.
Lucil~Has she ever lost control?
Elma~Do you think she has crossed that line, Commander?
Lucil~She has the restraint, and you can see her hesitate when she hits near the soft tissue.
Auron~Like I said, she used to have to survive.
Elma~Should we help Teyr? He’s still down…
Auron~Give him another minute. He might not be used to getting knocked around
Teyr slowly sat up, holding his stomach.
Ann~If you can sit up, you can get up.
Teyr~What kind of *wheeze* training did you *wheeze* did you do?
Ann~Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to. Was that tap too hard?
Teyr~That was a tap???
Ann~Too hard then. To your feet. You don’t get this long to recover in a fight.
Teyr~I’d like to see you take a hit.
Ann~I’ll give you a free shot then. Make it clean.
He stood, and did his best to take the stance she taught him
Teyr~Will you really stay still?
Ann~Come at me.
He moved for the strike. Lucil and Elma flinched forward, but Auron stopped them
Auron~Just because she’s a child doesn’t mean she’s weak.
Teyr had struck her at the shoulder, but he pulled it. Ann immediately smacked his head
Ann~Dumbass, I gave you a real chance and you botched it
Teyr~It didn’t feel right at the last minute. I’d rather earn it.
Ann~I respect that. Do you want me to give you a handicap? I’ll do it blindfolded
Auron~Stop showing off.
She started off heated, then slowed
Ann~I’m already open handed and he’s getting his a** beat. I feel like I’m losing that part too…I can't believe how often I passively used the Silent Killing Technique. I miss being able to hear everything…
Auron hummed~Do you miss your uncle?
Ann~I didn’t realize how homesick I am…Can we spar later, Daddy?
Auron~Of course, dear
Teyr~Are we stopping?
Lucil~You should. We still need to get back to base before the storm gets here.
Ann~Yeah. Gotta take care of the chocobos. Teyr, practice what I showed you, and you might not die in the field
Teyr~Was…was that a compliment?
Ann just smiled as Auron came over and patted her head.
Elma~I'm pretty interested in how Ann fights at full strength
Auron~She has some ways to go.
He unslung her sword from her back and walked to where Teyr was, giving him a gentle push towards Lucil and Elma
Ann~Hey! Why take mine? And what do you mean not full strength?
Auron~I wasn't expecting to do anything. Your strength is still adjusting, dear.
Ann~Stop calling me dear.
Teyr~Wait, isn't that an unfair power difference?
Lucil~We can watch for a bit longer.
Auron spun the sword to get his grip in the right spot before resting it on his shoulder. Ann pulled out two kunai, holding it in opposite grips like Teyr.
Teyr~Wait, are you doing that on purpose?
Ann~Doing what on purpose, cupcake?
Elma~That was almost nice. I think you got demoted from dumbass.
Teyr~Demoted? What do you mean?
Auron advanced first, swinging with the working edge at Ann. She ducked away and closed the distance
Lucil~You need to pay attention to her personality, Teyr. You can't keep applying blanket expectations to a person after spending extended time with them. Ann is snappy when she speaks and is very physical when she has the freedom to take a hands-on approach. If she isn't insulting you, you're doing something wrong.
Teyr~She was insulting me the whole time, though, Commander…
Lucil~You'll learn. Pay attention to her stance. We're going in 15 minutes. Let's get the chocobos prepped, Elma.
Teyr sighed and watched, trying to keep pace with her movements. He saw that she redirected Auron’s blade and not just block the swings.
Teyr~She’s trying to stay close because of those weird knives…She isn’t trying to cut him either, even though he’s close enough to…
Lucil and Elma came back as Auron punched Ann to the side with his off hand. Ann rolled onto all fours and ran in again, annoyed that she got knocked down.
Teyr~She can take a hit…I never had a chance…
Auron blocked her swings and shoved her back with the flat of the blade.
Auron~You’re getting sloppy.
Ann~I’m too slow.
Auron~Are you sure speed is what you need?
He held his arm up to gather his magic.
Ann~You won’t be able to keep up, and I can take you down. Hey, what’re you doing?
Auron waved his arm down to cast Haste on her. Not knowing what spell he planned, Ann flinched away and toppled over herself instead.
Ann~Oh, that’s weird. What'd you do?
Auron~You’ll be faster for the next 10 or so minutes. Show me what you can do.
Ann stood up and focused on how weightless she felt. It was like taking off training weights. She smiled big, already knowing how to adjust herself.
Ann~Try to keep up, old man.
She sped off, practically disappearing. Auron was already moving to block her kick from behind.
Ann~Hey!
Auron~Predictable.
He spun around to swing and face her again. She was already gone, but he grabbed her on his right and threw her to the other side. Lucil’s eyes narrowed, noticing the dark look on Ann’s face in that last movement.
Elma~I can’t even see her…That was the basic cast, wasn’t it?
Lucil~It was. Either his magic is powerful, or she already had the speed.
Ann recovered before running straight for him. She made a feint to move left, then went to the right. She threw a punch that Auron blocked with his left. He swung the sword towards her as she jumped away, using her kunai to block and guide the blade away from her.
Auron~Careful. You’re losing it.
She tightened her grip on the kunai knives and moved again. She jumped to kick at him, and when he blocked her with the sword again, she jumped off of it. When she came down, she reversed her grip on both kunai to swing them down at him. Auron dug the sword into the ground and kept his eye on her as she fell. When she was close enough, Auron grabbed her hands and threw her to the ground. She landed on her shoulder, getting completely winded.
Auron~Stay down until you’re back. Or else.
Ann gasped, but managed to nod. She took a few deep breaths to regulate getting the wind knocked out of her.
Teyr~Hey, she’s okay, right?
Auron~She will be.
Ann pushed herself up and evened out her breathing.
Ann~You held back from the start…You could have done that from the very beginning
Auron~You wouldn't have had much fun otherwise.
He offered a hand and pulled her up after she holstered her kunai again. They went over to the other three
Lucil~Your last last attack had intent. Were you really trying to do that?
Ann~I was trying too hard. I…slipped
Elma~Whatever that was, I didn't expect you to get up so fast
Teyr~I thought you were down for the count.
Auron~I held back. There was never any danger. You guys stayed longer, though. Will you get back to base safely?
Lucil~We'll be fine to still travel. Our base is what used to be HQ for Operation Mi'ihen. Thank you for your concern. Let's move.
Auron nodded, and they mounted the chocobos, Teyr climbing up with Elma.
Ann~Safe travels. Teyr, I expect improvement the next time I see you.
Teyr~I don’t think I’ll get as good as you, though
Ann~That’s not what I said, dumbass.
Elma~Hey, you’re back to dumbass.
Lucil~Rest well, Sir Auron, Lady Ann. Until next time.
Ann and Auron watched them leave. Once they were gone, Ann’s face dropped to neutral, brows furrowed.
Auron~You went past homesick and went to default…
Ann~I’m sorry…Zabuza said I was predictable a lot…
Auron~Grab your sword. Let’s get cleaned up, dear.
Ann~Yes, Dad…

Auron led her inside and to their room. Ann kicked off her shoes and sat at the table, with her head down. Auron removed his glove, coat, and boots as he spoke
Auron~Do you need a minute before cleaning up?
Ann~Yeah…I’ll get up in a bit…
Auron~I’ll draw a bath for you while I get cleaned up. Don’t take too long.
She made a grunt as he moved to the bathroom. She listened to the water turning on and running, and heard a rumbling in the distance.
Ann~How bad do you think the storm will be?
Auron~I expect we’ll be stalled for a few days. I’d prefer that we don’t travel in bad weather.
Ann~Yeah, me too…Is the tub full?
Auron~Almost. You’re better off showering first.
Ann got up and made her way to the bathroom, undressing along the way. She went into the shower that was already running.
Auron~Don’t expect me to clean up after you.
Ann~I’ll get it after.
He stopped the water for the tub.
Auron~Keep the shower running when you finish. I’m going to pull out some clothes.
He left the bathroom
Ann~Don’t get it dirty
She finished washing and settled herself in the tub, keeping her shoulder submerged as much as possible, as Auron came back.
Auron~Did I end up hurting you?
Ann~Just a little…My pride hurts more…
Auron hummed as he undressed to shower next. Ann sighed and focused on the water. She hummed and placed her hand on her shoulder, remembering the magic lesson in Besaid.
Auron~I'm not sure how much I can help you if you catch yourself on fire in water.
Ann~That's not what I'm doing!
She sighed and focused, letting the healing magic flow from her hand to her shoulder. Once the ache went away, she let her hand drop and groaned.
Auron~Did you manage to hurt yourself casting Cure?
He chuckled at the irony as he stepped out of the shower. He started to towel off his hair as he walked out
Ann~No. I have a headache now. You’re not gonna soak?
Auron~You need it more than me. No more magic in the water. Wake me up when you're ready to eat.
Ann~Yeah, okay.
Auron left. Ann rubbed her temples
Ann~I guess magic has its own version of mental fatigue, like jutsus. I need to start using it more often…I'll strategize later. It hurts too much to think…I miss everyone…
She tried to relax some more, but the water made her restless now. Ann sighed and drained the tub before toweling off and wrapping the towel around herself. In the common area, she found her clothes where she was sitting earlier and got dressed. Then she crawled onto the bed with Auron, latching onto his side.
Auron~Hey, what's wrong? You're not normally like this…
He wrapped an arm around her and smoothed her hair with his free hand.
Ann~I miss them, Daddy…Zabi, Haku, my friends, Sensei…I miss them…
Auron~It's okay to miss them. I was actually ready for this to happen back on the airship.
She sniffled and hit him
Auron~I'm here for you, honey. I'll stay right here with you.
Ann nodded into his chest, letting the tears fall, but not letting herself break down. Auron pulled her closer and gave her head a soft kiss, and resumed petting her head

The following morning Auron gently woke Ann.
Auron~Honey, let's get something to eat.
Ann~I don't wanna get up
She moved towards him and hugged his arm.
Auron~That's okay if you don't want anything to eat, but I'm getting hungry.
Ann~Okay…
She squeezed his arm before rolling back over.
Auron~I won't be long. I'll bring you back something if you don't come out first.
Ann~Would you be mad if I sat outside for a while?
Auron~Not at all. But if you manage to get soaked, don't stay out for longer than an hour. Is that fair?
Ann~Yeah…Thank you…
He hummed and leaned over to kiss her head before getting dressed. Auron laid out a set of her clothes as well before leaving.

She stayed where she was for a few minutes. Her mind was busy with thoughts, but nothing at the same time. A not good feeling just kept eating at her, almost like guilt, but she didn’t know why she was guilty to begin with. She groaned and finally pulled herself out of bed and went to her clothes to get dressed. Her eye caught her discarded clothes still on the floor from yesterday.
Ann scoffed~He meant it…
She cleaned up her clothes and set them in a pile before pausing at the door. Her gaze lingered on their swords. After a few moments, Ann grabbed her blade and the room key, then headed out, locking after herself. Being still wasn’t helping, and she still wasn’t hungry. Maybe practicing the sword techniques Zabuza had taught her would help clear her mind.

Ann quietly slipped outside, no one stopping her if they noticed. The rain was coming down, but not hard enough to force her back inside. It was refreshing and almost felt like the Mist, the few memories she had of it that weren’t training at least. Ann stepped into the rain and moved towards the clearing from yesterday, her clothes already soaked through when she drew her sword to run through the drills. The swings were deliberate and slow, focusing on form and movement rather than power and strength.
She ran through the sparring session again. It was fine right up until Auron said she was predictable. She’s done that move on him before, even Zabuza, so that shouldn’t have bothered her as much as it had. And yet it did. And she wanted to get back at him for it.
Getting thrown to the ground was new, too. She felt her instincts try to pull away with a substitution, but without chakra, she ate dirt and got the wind knocked out of her.
That's when the feeling started to register. Something like frustration and guilt mixed together with a hint of shame and broken pride. Yeah, her training slipped, and she wanted to do serious damage to her father, but that wasn't a new feeling when she sparred. Ann was able to keep that in check with Zabuza, and he's far more grating when he sees weaknesses.
Then, during her bath, she was restless. She would normally fall asleep for a few minutes. Instead, she couldn't even strategize to avoid whatever this feeling was and started thinking about home. It was borderline grief.

Like now.

Ann stood up straight, letting the weight of her sword sink into the ground and fall from her fingertips. She actually lost track of time, too. The thought of being out longer than the hour Auron set started pulling at her chest, and she was frustrated that it bothered her. The time frames had always been suggestions, not hard lines, and she was treating it as if it were.
Auron~Ann, come inside now.
She turned to see Auron leaning by the inn's front door with a towel slung over his shoulder. Ann sighed, picked up her sword again–shaking off the mud–and made her way to her father.
Ann~Was I out for too long?
He put the towel over her head and patted her face dry
Auron~No, the rain is coming down harder again. I just wanted you out of bad weather…Let's get you warm.

Back inside, Auron drew another bath for her and stayed nearby upon her request. He sat while she idly ran her fingers through his ponytail.
Ann~There's something wrong with me…I don't know what's happening…
Auron hummed~Did you want to talk?
Ann sighed~I dunno…I know I shouldn't have lost control yesterday…
Auron~I know…There's no blame, dear
He reached up and patted her head.
Ann~No, dad. I mean, it SHOULDN'T have happened at all. I…You hardly said anything. Zabuza does more s**t talk, and even that doesn't bother me.
She quietly groaned as a familiar cramp she felt explained everything. She took a deep breath and withdrew her hand from his hair. Auron noticed her stop.
Auron~Honey?
Ann~Daddy, please leave now…
Auron~Is something wrong?
He shifted a little so he could look at her.
Ann~I'm fine. I figured it out. I need you to go. Now, please.
His eye caught a small wisp of red in the water. He hummed and got up to leave, but paused at the door
Auron~Do you need something salty or sweet?
She blushed
Ann~Sweet…
He left the room.

Outside, he leaned against the door and pinched the bridge of his nose. It wasn’t like he's never helped her with this before, but he was never her first person to go to for it either, not when she had female teammates or Haku to go to first. Which was fine. He didn't need to be her first choice for everything. Auron just never took this aspect into consideration. He didn't have a reason for it during his last pilgrimage, and Yuna and Rikku had Lulu to turn to anyway.
Auron~At least we'll be here for a few days. She'll be comfortable…
He sighed and moved to gather another set of her clothes and to look through her pack for her things. Once gathered, he looked at the plate he had made for Ann earlier and noted it was mostly salty or savory. He knocked on the door, faintly hearing the shower running.
Auron~I'm going to step out for a little bit. I think I saw ice cream and pastries.
Ann~Okay. Can you check for cinnamon rolls?
Auron~Yes, dear. Anything else?
Ann~Chocolates?
Auron~We'll see about that. I've been warned about your candy consumption. I'm going now.
Finding something chocolate-flavored is better than a chocolate bar. He didn't need her on a sugar rush

A while later, after getting some sweet treats and Ann finally eating something, they settled on the bed again. Ann was on her side, using Auron's shoulder as a pillow.
Auron~Are you feeling a little better now?
Ann~Yeah…It also explains the airship after you spoke with the girls
Auron~I did find kneeing my leg a bit much, but it made you feel better
Ann~Sorry…
Auron~It's okay. Your mother has attempted to drown me before…If the timing aligns, would you prefer if we stayed in town or an inn when it happens again?
She considered it. It'd make things easier, but she didn't particularly like the idea of being idle. Maybe if she were feeling particularly bad.
Ann~We can play by ear, right?
Auron~Of course.