Precious Things
Chapter Two: Fade to Black


Tidus rubbed the back of his neck, trying to work out a knot. Falling asleep on the couch had not been such a good idea and all he longed for at the moment was a bed.

Everyone had gone in separate directions upon reaching the travel agency, and as far as Tidus knew, that was how things still were. It had been a long couple of days and no one was in the mood for much company. It was definitely alone time. Even the ever-positive Yuna had started to question what she was doing, and it seemed as if no one could comfort her. Tidus wondered where she was, but understood she was having a difficult time on this last leg of the journey. How could you not be a little depressed; knowing you were walking to your death and that everyone around you could be walking to his or hers as well?

Tidus kicked the wood floor in frustration, huffing at the thought that he would be able to do nothing to stop the inevitable. What was the purpose of coming to Spira if there was nothing he could do?

Squinting his eyes, Tidus tried to focus on the form of a body, leaning against the wall in front of him. 'Maybe Yuna came to find me.'

As the figure came clearly into view, the boy couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"Rikku, what are you doing?"

The blonde girl jerked her head up, placing a grin upon her face, to cover up the fact a moment ago she had been on the verge of tears once more.

"Waiting for Auron. There is something I need to talk to him about." Rikku did her best impersonation of herself on a happy day.

Tidus cringed outwardly. " Maybe you haven't noticed, but he isn't in the best of moods."

"Have you met Auron?" She was trying to lighten the mood, change the subject, anything to get Tidus off wondering what she was doing outside the legendary guardian's room. The boy had an over-active imagination that had the possibility of getting her in trouble.

"Point taken." He gave a half smile and nodded in understanding before turning to enter his room.

Rikku's face fell while Tidus took another glance at her over his shoulder. Something was bothering her and Tidus' mind was racing with possibilities.

"Why don't you try the door, I doubt its locked. That way you aren't standing out here half the night."

Tidus shut the door and Rikku sighed, but before she could do anything else, Tidus stuck his head back outside.

"And Rikku… behave."

With that, he shut the door, while Rikku's jaw hit the floor. 'What's that suppose to mean? 'Behave'. As If I would even consider, anything with that… that...'

Her fists clenched at her side as she kicked her foot against the door a couple of times.

Sure, there had been times when she had watched Auron from a distance and thought about what it would be like to kiss him, but never would she have acted on it. She could just imagine the reactions she would receive.

Besides, the only image that infiltrated her mind now was that of Auron glaring at her. It was like he had looked right into her and paralyzed her. She never wanted to experience that again. Once in a lifetime was plenty.

Besides, the idea of a relationship between those two was absolutely absurd. There were a million reasons why they would end up killing each other.

Entering the room, she glanced around and noticed that nothing was disturbed. While everyone else had gone to rest in the late afternoon, he had not.

'Where are you?'

Rikku skimmed the room, looking for anything of Auron's, to let her know she had the right room. The only thing she found was his massive sword, resting against a wall. That was proof enough for her.

Sighing, Rikku sat on the bed, wondering just what she was doing and what she would accomplish. Getting Auron to say more than a few words was going to be difficult… if she could get him to say anything at all.

Lying down, Rikku mentally struggled with herself about how to approach him. It was obvious yelling at him had not worked, but at least it had gotten his attention. This was not the Auron she remembered. Why had he become so cold and alone? She knew he had his reasons to be but Auron was always so strong and able to defeat anything. Why was it that his inner demons seemed worse then those they fought daily? Was she really that stupid and naïve a girl, to think he was indestructible?

"Of course I am." Rikku squeezed her eyes tight in frustration before relaxing again.

-

Auron slammed the tokkuri down onto the bar, the almost-empty contents sloshing around from the disturbance.

"Something troubles you this evening, Sir Auron?" Rin raised an eyebrow at the dark haired man.

"I am fine." Auron grunted out in usual fashion. He was still in no mood to talk and Rin had a way of asking too many questions.

Rin eyed the old warrior and wondered what had him in such a fowl mood. As far as he could tell, the pilgrimage was going according to plan, even if he did not agree with it. Those who believed and trusted the teachings of Yevon should not have any problems with the outcome that lay ahead. But maybe death, no matter what the cause, still troubled these people.

"Perhaps a book to calm your nerves?" Rin gestured toward a few comfortable looking chairs that surrounded a fireplace and bookshelf. "Here, come sit and relax."

Of course, Auron would not want to read anything, but Rin hoped if he could get the man to relax, he might be able to get some information out of him.

Auron tried to relax, he really did, but peace would not come to him, not just yet. Even the damn books he flipped through offered him no distractions. The images of long ago flickered in his mind, scenes changing from moment to moment, but all were the same; full of so much death.

Now guilt plagued him as well, his head in his hands, he took deep breaths trying to let it all go, but he could not. All he could do was push it away and try to hide it for the time being.

Some days were harder than others, but some days brought so much more… he thought he might actually be able to be happy.

In his mind her image appeared, crying like she had so many years ago… and for what?

For him. And yet he still pushed her away as if she knew nothing and never would. Sometimes though, he wondered if there were things she could teach him. Auron knew he had been awful to them all, but she stuck out in his mind more than any other.

"I have taken the liberty of filling this for you." Rin handed the now full tokkuri out to Auron.

"I have had too much to drink tonight as it is." Moreover, it was the truth. Whoever had said an unsent could not get drunk was dead wrong. Although at the moment, the alcohol was only making him feel worse.

Rin just stood there, contemplating the broken man before him.

"You seem bothered this evening. Much more so than the night I took a crying Al Bhed girl from your arms."

Auron raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he pushed passed the innkeeper.

"Perhaps it is the same girl who plagues you now. Perhaps it is you, who still makes her cry."

"Perhaps you should stay out of others affairs." Auron spat the words out, annoyance filling every word.

However, what Rin had said cut deep, and now all he saw was her crying, tears staining her normally cheerful face.

"Damn it!" Auron yelled as he slammed a fist into the mirrored wall beside him, glass shattering around the impact while his hand began to bleed.

Rin watched Auron leave, shoulders slumped in defeat. It reminded him of ten years ago… but now this guardian seemed to be only a shadow of what he once was. What had not changed was the fact he was always running away from things.


RR

Eva Harlow