A/n: yeah I know, another short chapter. But since it is an Lj challenge, they kinda have to be. And just so you all know, the words in italics are Rikku writing.

Disclaimer: I do not now, or will I ever, own more then a copy of FFX.

Young Tidus had even more energy then the older version of himself. He pulled her around to all of his favorite places in Zanarkand. She was barely able to take it all in, he spoke that fast.

"And this is where I go to school, and here's the park. And over there is the stadium." A scowl crossed his face before he pulled her another way. "Let's not go that way. Besides there's something over here I want to show you."

"Wait. I wanna see something." She pulled back on his hand as she turned to go the way they just came from. "E cyf cusadrehk." She whispered in her native tongue.

"What did you say?" The kid asked as he scratched the back of his head.

Rikku had to laugh because it was so much like the Tidus she knew. "Nothing. Just talking to myself. Come on, let's get you home." She took his hand and headed back.

It was silent for the first mile before Tidus had to speak up. "So lady, what's your name?"

The question had caught her so off guard, she almost stumbled over the bridge they had just stepped on. She glanced down at him to see his innocent face staring at her waiting for an answer. "Hehe, you know what kid, why don't you pick something for me?"

"Don't you have one? Didn't your parents give you a name?" He asked in awe that she might not have a name.

"Well I do, you know. It's just that, uh, it's better if I don't tell anyone what it is. You see?" She alternated between standing on her feet as she hoped this would work so she could keep her secret.

"Ohh." His eyes grew large as he took it in. You're like a secret mission person." He smiled at her. "Don't worry. I won't say anything. Can I call you Lenna then?"

"Lenna?" Rikku thought it over in her head. "Yes, I think I would like that. Were did you get a name like that from?"

His face fell a moment and she almost regretted asking. "It was a friends name. She died last year when fiends entered the blitz stadium." He used his toe to roll a rock around under his foot.

"I'm sorry." What else was there to say? "So you have fiends here too?"

"Yeah, and my stupid dad started calling me a baby when I cried. She was my best friend, and he didn't even care!" He sniffled once and Rikku knew it was time to get his mind off this subject.

"Um, Tidus? Why don't we go and get you a treat before I take you home? It might make you feel better."

He used a sleeve to wipe away the tears that had formed. "Ok, I would like that."

--

Rikku had dropped Tidus off a short while ago. She now sat on a couch watching a blitz game on the sphere. It was exciting, but she was still bored. "I thought this was a city that never sleeps!" She groaned. "Where is all the action?"

"You have to know where to go for that." A voice answered for her.

She jumped in her seat not expecting an answer. "Auron, where did you come from?" She asked as she held a hand to her chest while she regained her breath.

"I was in my bedroom polishing my katana. It was rather hard not to hear you groaning and complaining out here." He answered as he attempted to glare at her.

"That isn't gonna work, you know. You're too cute to be intimidating." She immediately covered her mouth with her hand. Had she really said that out loud?

His glare disappeared as he raised an eyebrow. Rikku had thrown herself into the couch as if it would swallow her up. "I didn't mean that!" She hastily explained. "I mean that you are too soft, and uh I uh, I know better. It's not the same."

"The same? Same as what?"

"Nothing, never mind!" She leaped off the couch and ran past him to her room slamming the door behind her.

Auron didn't understand. What has just happened? He turned to the sphere that she had left on in her haste to leave. Apparently without Jecht, the Abes were on a loosing streak. He turned it off; Auron had never liked the sport to begin with.

Meanwhile in her room, Rikku had pulled a small book out from under her mattress. It was a journal that she had kept on her as she traveled with her cousin, Yuna. It was in pretty good condition considering what it had gone through.

Opening it up, she turned to the first empty page and began to write.

I can't believe what has just happened. He must think I'm a totally insane teen now. Let me explain how the day went.

I went over to Tidus' today. I figured I would be able to learn more about this city if he led me around. Honestly I needed him so I wouldn't get lost though. I'm still searching for a way to get home. Getting transported ten years into the past then coming to Zanarkand is not my idea of fun. I still have to help Yunie defeat Sin. We were almost there too! Oh well, maybe I can get back in time.

Anyway, I thought I saw something that would help me. It looked like a lab of some sort? I'll have to check it out later. But it might lead me to the answers I need. But if not, I am after all, an Al Bhed. If I can't find something, then I'll build it! Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Ok, now onto what just happened to bring me into here. I had to open my big mouth. When will I learn to keep it shut? But I'm Rikku, and I always speak my mind. I was asking myself why I was so bored, after all Tidus had told me (That is the one from the future) that Zanarkand never sleeps when I first met him. Problem was, I never expected an answer, you know.

Auron had been in his room and I didn't even know it! Though I must say that I like this Auron better then the older one. He talks more, is more open. I guess that's why I said what I did when he glared at me. I told him he was cute! It just kinda slipped out; I didn't mean to say it. Now I wish I could take it back so things can go back to the way they were before.

A knock on her door interrupted her writing. "We need to talk." He said through the wood.

"Um, yeah. Hold on!" She shouted before shoving the journal back under the mattress. She stood up and stretched before opening the door. She peaked out not letting him see any more then her face.

"May I come in?" He asked not wanting to stand in the hall to say what was on his mind.

"Oh! Um, yeah, I guess." As if that didn't make her sound childish. She opened the door fully and let him in. He glanced around before sitting on the foot of the bed. "So, what did you want to talk about?" She asked as she clasped her hands behind her back and stared at the floor.

"I want to know what you meant earlier. You said it's not the same. What's not the same?"

She stumbled for words, tried to catch them before she looked any more childish then she was. "I, uh. I meant that you don't look as intimidating as someone who, uh, is older." She lifted her head content with her answer. Older, that would work. And it was true. It wasn't the same as the older version of him.

"Hmm, I see." He stood as if to leave when Rikku stopped him.

"Umm, Auron? Could you do me a favor?" He didn't object so she took that as a cue to continue. "I saw Tidus' mom today. She didn't look so well. Could you perhaps check on her for me? Make sure she's alright?"

He nodded. "Tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night, Auron." She whispered.