Title: Yggdrasil

Author: YukariYoukai

Rating: T… for TEEN!

Pairing: Bathier/Vaan

Summary: In exchange for a Galbana Lily, Vaan is given the key to the universe. AU

Chapter One: "A victim of Laughing Chance"

"Why the hell does Rabanastre have to be so damnably hot?"

"Who knows," replied the town gossip's companion, in a voice tinged with amusement. "Maybe it has something to do with having a desert on all sides, hm?"

The woman wiped at her forehead with the back of her hand. "Ha. Ha. I just can't wait for the Rains. Speaking of, did you hear about that woman who left for that villager?"

"You mean that Giza village?" Vaan let the conversation slip from his attention. Adults usually talked about boring things that he didn't care about, or understand. He had seen the woman before she left. She was walking with her husband and one of those traveler bags that Migelo sold. Honestly, she looked happier than a lot of people he had seen that day. She smiled at him and her husband bought her five lilies. Five! Vaan thanked him demurely, but internally he rejoiced. He could have bread! The fresh kind! And he didn't have to spend twenty minutes making sure he had taken out all of the worms.

At any rate, he didn't want to hear anything bad about her, so he moved further down the plaza, his oversized basket of Galbana Lilies knocking gently against his knees.

-

Twelve year old Balthier smiled at Fran's complaining. Her scowl deepened as she continued. "Why dost your father continue to try to introduce us to the world beyond the wood? It's loud and the colors are ugly." She paused for breath as a particulary large Seeq passed. Her nose crinkled cutely. "And it smells." Balthier's gaze traveled down the busy street to a small blonde boy holding a basket.

"Well, I have just seen something that might actually please you about our world," he offered confidently.

Fran whuffed. "Oh? Praytell, grant me a boon from all this chaos!" Balthier took Fran's hand and gently led her to the sidestreet where the boy stood. He smiled at the boy, who eyed him warily but hopefully. Fran's small gasp delighted him to no end.

"How much for one?"

The boy smiled beautifically. "Take it for five gil." Balthier handed over the gil, barely able to restrain himself from wiping at the smudge of dirt across the boy's nose. The boy critically gazed at his basket before he selected one for him. "It's the prettiest," he offered in way of explanation.

Fran eyed the boy distrustfully. "How old are you?"

"Me?" The blonde scratched at his already tousled head. He needed a bath, Balthier could see. With a lot of hot water and a rough cloth. "Migelo says he found me when I was just a babe... but that was around the time the queen died…. Her daughter's like ten or something right?" The urchin laughed. "I don't really know. I'd guess about eight or somfink. But why's it matter to you anyway? I mean, not that I mind, it's nice to have someone sorta care once in a while, but I don't see the point." Fran growled softly in frustration.

"Another reason your world disturbs us so," she nagged at Bathier. She dug into the pouch she strapped at her side and pulled out a small black bead. "Take this," she ordered the boy.

"Thanks! It's really warm. …What is it?"

Fran's patience was already worn with the monstrosity of Dalmasca and of leaving the wood, even if it was temporary. Her mind was filled to the brim with the thoughts and actions of the Dalmascan culture she would report back to her sisters. And she was, above all, very tired. In light of this, she grabbed Balthier's dagger and neatly sliced into the urchin's dirty palm before either could react.

"Fran," Balthier called in alarm, searching for his handkerchief to staunch the bleeding.

"Whatcha' do that for," the boy asked of her, his watery eyes watching her with betrayal. Her eyebrow twitched.

"Look. At. The. Bead," she managed. The blonde opened his palm to watch the bead absorb the blood staining his hand and slowly heal the wound. He looked at her with the same amount of amazement. Fran took a deep breath, summoning the strength of her tree to her. "It will protect you," she explained with her eyes carefully tracing the boy's features. He would be important, her tree told her, otherwise He would not have reacted. "It is a part of the wood."

"The wood?"

"It will grow with you," Fran continued, completely ignoring him so she could get this over with and go home. "It is a part of the wood, and now it is a part of you. Keep it safe." Throughly annoyed with the whole situation, she stalked off without saying goodbye. Balthier offered him a hasty smile and his handkerchief 'in case it starts bleeding again' before he hurried after his fair-haired companion.

"Fran," Balthier gasped when he finally caught up with her. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

"I see." Balthier caught his breath and quickly matched her strides. "May I ask why--?"

"The green spirit commanded it." Balthier mulled over her comment for a moment before he tapped her shoulder softly. "What," she asked coldly.

"Your lily." Fran's pace finally slowed as she carefully took the lily from Balthier. Her smile was small and matronly.

"He takes good care of them. But his lilies worry because Vaan is always alone. Humes are not oft solitary as we Viera."

"Vaan? The boy who sells the Galbana lilies?"

"Who else," Fran snapped. Balthier only smiled and moved his hands in a placating manner.

"I meant no harm," he soothed. Fran stroked the petals softly and did not reply, but Balthier knew he was forgiven.

Pause.

Author's Notes: Well, it seems this might just be THE FIC. The one I finish when I say I'll finish it. Not abandoning everyone else, don't worry, just giving myself… Just… Juicing the battery. This will be fun.