Ahh…the second chapter. I own nothing except the plotline of this very story.
ffxlodgirl, thanks for the great review!
Back and Forth
Death by…
I regretted allowing Yuna to appoint her as a guardian as soon as she lifted her face to mine. Her nervously asked, 'No good?' had sounded that pathetic. I could hear the acceptance of rejection already in her voice.
She had obviously been discriminated against countless times already in her short lifespan, who was I to tell her no.
Who the hell am I to tell anyone what to do. As long as Yuna continues her pilgrimage.
I sigh. I can see myself saying these words frequently throughout our journey.
"Hey you big stick in the mud meanie! Are you listening to anything I say?"
No.
I decided not to respond. Maybe she'll go away.
"You weren't listening, I knew it," she accuses.
I have yet to participate in this conversation.
"Go talk to Tidus," I growl.
He's always willing to talk. You two are perfect company. You can amaze each other with your innocence and youthful exuberance.
"He's already in bed. And I'm bo-red."
She whines the last word like a five year-old, dragging it out into far too many syllables.
You should be in bed as well.
"You should go to bed as well," I say.
"I'm not tired," she pouts.
She is worse than Tidus when he was a child.
"So what do you think," she asks.
I look over at her darkened figure. Her eyes are shining from the light of the pyreflies.
She is young. Very, very young. A bitter taste invades my mouth, similar to biting down on your lip and licking to taste the blood. I can't bleed anymore.
"About…," I finally ask.
She groans.
"I knew it!"
She reiterates this by pointing her index finger at me and glaring.
This was never a conversation.
"About…," I repeat.
"This!"
She gestures wildly into the space around her.
I wait, knowing she will elaborate if I keep my mouth shut.
"The pilgrimage!"
I unsuccessfully resist the urge to laugh. It is a harsh, odd sound, and brings the metallic taste back to my mouth.
What do I think about the pilgrimage. I see Jecht's resigned face and Braska's happy, calm one. I see myself a failure, unable to prevent his death and Jecht's bloody fate. My gaze falls to Yuna, the world's ray of hope. Hope. Every time I hear that word, I hear it from Yunalesca's lips.
'The pilgrimage gives the people of Spira hope. Now choose.'
I hear Braska telling me as she disappears to wait for his decision, he'll do what has to be done. Jecht has resigned himself to fate as well. He'll do what's necessary for Braska.
He did it to show you what Sin is capable of.
I had said this to Tidus. This is what my sin is capable of; watching the daughter repeat the endless cycle of death.
I don't think anything about the pilgrimage, Rikku. I'm simply fulfilling the promises made to my two dearest friends. My story is over. I don't think about anything. I think everything.
"It's the only way she knows. And…the only way it can be done."
This answer should suffice. It is the one she expects. The one that her bright eyes will scorn and then turn to me in disdain.
A/N: My Auron is kind of depressing, no? It's very fun to re-read this story as I post it because it is so very old.
Reviews are always appreciated and critiques welcome.