Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X/X-2 (I have the games and the OST, but that's about it!) or any of the characters therein. They are owned by Square and others affiliated with it. This fan fiction is solely for the entertainment of the readers and to exercise my writing ability. I do, however, own any original characters.
A/N: Heyo! It's me again and I'm back with a new story! This time it's for one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy X. -Smiles- This story is an Alternate Universe fic because the way it ends up going won't really fit into the original timeline. I will try my best to keep the characters IC, but I already know that Rikku is going to be more mature.
The pairing this story is centered around is Auron and Rikku. If you don't like the pairing I will have to ask you to please leave. If you would like to give them a try read on! Or check out stories from Ginning to give you a head start because the Aurikku in mine doesn't start until later. There is also a little bit of Tuna and Lukka, but that comes later as well.
I didn't start liking Aurikku until early this year. It wasn't that I didn't like the pair; it's just that I never thought of them in that light! Now that I've fallen for the couple I just can't get enough! -Laughs- Funny how things turn out that way.
Now here is the intro to Between Her and Heaven!
Intro - Ornery, Red Guardian
A group of ten stood in the darkness around the room's only source of light. They all varied in height, some tall and others as short as children. Against the wall several feet away from the group, an eleventh figure leaned. He had his arms crossed over his chest and his head bowed. The group paid him no mind, their attention taken by the images in front of them.
At the middle of their group was a sphere projecting a scene above it. The scene played out before them, centered on a funeral for a woman who had just died. Several people stood in black with umbrellas as the sky rained down on them. They were looking at a man speaking at the head of the coffin. Standing near the wooden box was a young boy at the age of six dressed in black. No one stood at his side, they opted to stand back and look at him with pity. He was under a small tent to stay out of the rain.
He stood looking at his mother's coffin with his little hands curled into fists as he fought the urge to cry. His blonde hair fell into his face and he brought a hand up to shove it roughly behind his ear.
"Poor child, he has no one to care for him," a soft female voice broke the silence.
"We cannot weep for every orphan or our tears would never cease to fall," a gruff voice countered. One of the group's smallest members looked toward the two that had spoken.
"However true that may be, this child will be an exception. He has a very important future ahead of him. One that we cannot over look. I am sending him a Guardian," he turned to look at the man against the wall. The man straightened and looked at the group.
"I take it you are talking about me," it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I am. That is why I called you here. You are to go to Zanarkand and watch over the boy. Teach him the way of the sword. He will need the skills of a warrior to face his future. We will be watching over you.
"There are strict guidelines you must follow while on Spira. First of all, you must not reveal your true nature to anyone, not even the boy. Second of all, your power is at its highest on the nights of the Dark Moon. It begins at twilight and ends at dawn. While you are stronger, it is impossible to conceal your true self. Not even your normal means of doing so will be strong enough to hide it.
"Last and most important of all, you are forbidden to develop strong feelings for any mortal, except your charge, be it friendship or love. This boy is your mission. You cannot put anyone before him. You must protect him at all costs.
"If any of these rules are broken there will be consequences upon your return. Do you understand?" the child like being finished. The older man looked at him wearily, unsure of what was in store for him.
"I understand, my lord," he answered. The child smiled.
"Good, your mission begins now. Remember what I have told you," he said. The man nodded, grabbed his weapon, and left the group to themselves.
Tidus stood in place, watching the flower petals of a large wreath flutter gently in the wind. He was unsure of what he should be feeling; sad his mother had died or angry at his father for dying and leaving them behind. He shook as he clenched his fists, fighting back the tears. He knew everyone was watching him and whispering about him. What he didn't understand was why no one would approach him.
I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't cry. He thought over and over again. He didn't want them to see him break. They wouldn't care that he was crying they would only use it to gossip about the great Jecht's only son.
He was staring so intently at the grain of his mother's coffin he didn't notice the figure stop beside him. He jumped when a black gloved hand rested on his shoulder. He tore his eyes away from the sight before him to see who it was. A man he'd never seen before was standing next to him, looking down with one brown eye. His other was sealed shut by an old, nasty looking scar. Having caught Tidus' attention, the red and black clad man knelt down to his level.
"Tidus, my name is Auron. I'm here to take care of you," he said, voice as rough as his face looked. The boy looked him in the eye, searching for something. Somehow, though he'd never met the man, he felt he could trust him and that he was telling the truth. Something told him that he didn't have to be afraid of this man. Knowing this, the wall Tidus had so carefully built up, broke and his little face contorted in pain.
"I hate him, Auron! I hate my dad! It's all his fault!" he cried, throwing himself into Auron's chest. Caught off guard, Auron looked down over his sun glasses. They'd fallen down his nose from the impact of the boy hitting him. He pushed them back up before wrapping his free arm around the sobbing boy.
When Tidus cried himself into exhaustion, several eyes watched as Auron picked him up. Without a word to anyone, he carried him out of the graveyard and away from the depressing sight of a coffin being lowered into the muddy ground.
A/N: So, what do you guys think? Please let me know! I know it was a bit sad. And you weren't supposed to completely understand what happened at the very beginning, but it will come into play later.