Another chapter woo! I have to say I'm happy I'm making progress here considering it's my first chaptered story! Anyway, I don't want to keep you from the story so a few quick things and then I'll shut up.
First the dedication this time it goes to . . . . Telcontarian!! Hope you like this new chapter!
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I appreciate it so much. I'm glad your enjoying it!
And finally . . .
Disclaimer: Clearly not owned by me, and already determined a copy of the game doesn't give me the rights. . . Damn
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Auron looked at her his face with a slightly worried expression. 'What's with that look? I don't think I'm going to like where this is going. But I didn't even give it any thought. I guess I just have to see what she's planning, I can always refuse. . . .' Auron's eyebrow raised at the end of his thought. "And your thinking what exactly?"
Rikku sat up straight taking her eyes away from the wound for a minute, looking up to the ceiling , her hands slowly sliding off his chest and being placed onto her hips. "I'm not really sure yet, but I will think of something by the time this ship lands I'm sure!" She said her eyes meeting his some of the mischief gone. Her eyes had even seemed to grow softer, as if the striking green color had dulled down to a bright pastel, Auron noticed. "Well, you should get some rest let those injuries heal up some more on their own. But Auron?" she questioned him as if slightly bashful of him.
He head tilted sideways before he responded "Yes Rikku?"
"Can we talk after you wake up? I . . . I . . . hmm, really would like too." she concluded after a moment of uncertainty at her words.
He seemed generally confused, not by her request but by the tone which the request was presented. It was obvious the girl had grown in his absence, but it still wasn't expected. It was odd to see different behaviors from what he had grown so used to in the months of traveling. But regardless of his uncertainty towards the girls his reply came out as "Of course"
She smiled small "Thank you. Okay I'm going to cast sleep on you so you can catch some Z's I'll come up to see how your doing in a little while okay?"
Again Auron simply complied, slightly relieved that she would cast, with the thoughts in his head right now he wasn't sure if he would be able to fall actually fall asleep on his own.
The next thing he remembered was feeling a slightly warming in his body and hearing a soft humming as he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
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Rikku looked down at Auron as his eyes drifted shut. "This is surreal y'know?" she spoke softly to him, knowing he couldn't hear her.
"I don't know what this is. . . that I'm feeling but I feel so much relief. The first man I ever admired besides my pops, if you know what I mean." she continued. "I think you deserve this chance . . . and I'm happy I'll be around to see it. But, looking at you now . . . hmm never mind, not sure where I'm going" she laughed lightly taking the time to brush away the small stray hairs on the front of his forehead. She took the time now to fully gaze down at his features. Slowly moving from head to toe back up to his face again.
"You look so different and the same all at once" she sighed and stood up, stretching a bit before deciding to search for Paine.
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"Hey Paine what did Barali want?"
"He was asking for my help with the temple in Bevelle. He said he wanted an extra hand to take care of a few fiends that showed up lurking there. He said something about Gippal looking around for me too."
"Oh! That's kind of weird isn't it?"
"Yeah, not so sure I know why they want me"
"You have skills!!!!" Rikku yelled enthusiastically
"Right . . ." she responded slowly.
"Ha Ha. I wouldn't worry about it. They've worked with you before so they know they can trust you to do what needs to be done."
"Yeah, makes sense."
"How long they taking you away from the Gullwings?"
"He didn't say exactly, but said it would probably take a couple of months, depending on what Gippal wants me for."
"WHAT!?" yelled Rikku horrified by the aspect.
"Yeah well . . ." Paine started.
"Rikku interrupted her "Who's going to go collect Spira's history with me?! I can't do all these missions alone. Now that Yunie has Tidus back and your leaving and I can't take these dopes with me." she said pointing to Shinra, Buddy and Brother.
"Hey!" two out of three responded. Buddy simply replied "wouldn't want to go."
Paine started shaking her head. "I don't know. You'll find someone to go with. Maybe Yuna and that Tidus guy will come along with you. Or what about Auron? At least until I get back."
"Yuna and Tidus will probably be doing other things and Auron? Your kidding me right?"
"Why?"
"Auron would sooooo not travel around collecting spheres with me he . . . . . "
"He?" Paine responded, eyebrows raising giving Rikku a 'yes finish what you were saying look'.
"Actually . . . maybe I could get him to do it. He does need a job and he does seem to have loosened up. Unless he was delusional from blood loss."
"Right so talk to him about it. I'm going to have these guys drop me off in Bevelle before they go to Besaid I think."
"Okay, I'll talk to him after he wakes up. But I'm going to go lay down myself, just let me know when we've landed in Bevelle okay?"
"Sure thing" Paine finished.
Rikku turned and made her way out of the bridge, letting her feet take her back to where Auron was. There was a bed next to his so she'd take that and on the plus side she would hear him get up. So when she got upstairs he eyes fell on him again. 'I really have to stop staring at him. People will start to think I have a crush on Auron.' she laughed silently to herself ignoring the twinge she felt in her head and sat down on the bed next to him. She removed her shoes and snuggled under the covers, closed her eyes and slowly started to fade away into sleep as well.
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Some hours later Auron started to move around. His eyes slowly peeling open, scrunching up by the bright light surrounding him. He looked around shyly taking in his surroundings until his eyes grew accustomed to the light. Slowly he pulled his body into a sitting position, happy by the idea that the pain was now only just a dull pull on his side rather than the giant ache it was before. "Take it easy and move slow will ya?" he heard her voice pop in. He glanced over to see her sitting on the bed next to him a small smile present on her face.
"I'm fine now."
Rikku looked at him skeptically and proceeded to poke his side. Auron just looked down at her finger and back to her face. There was no expression on his face.
"Guess your right. But, I'm going to heal you one more time anyway, can never be to safe."
"It will be a waste of your mana"
"Well it won't hurt and it's not like I need it for anything else at the moment. It'll replenish itself up anyway." she said getting up and raising her hands over his body allowing the magic to flow through her onto him.
He closed his eyes at the sensation and opened them to her smiling cheekily down at him. He cleared his throat a slight glare coming to his eyes. "What time is it?"
"Umm . . . about 7:30ish I think."
"That late?"
"That early"
"It's already morning!?"
"Yup! I was going to wake you up when we landed but I wanted you to rest plus we aren't in Besaid anyway so it would have been for nothing."
"Thank you. Where are we?"
"Welcome and in Bevelle, we had to drop Paine off here and then a storm passed through so we decided to land rather than fly in it."
"A storm? And you not hiding under a table whimpering?"
"Hey!" Rikku whined pouting a bit. "I do not whimper"
"But clearly you whine"
"Hey!You big meanie! Now I remember why I didn't talk to you much, it's kinda coming back to me."
He chuckled at her and replied "Yes, I'm sure that was enough to keep you away."
She shook her head and responded "Meanie, for YOUR information I camped out in the Thunder Plains for a whole week to get over my lightning fear. I still don't like it that much but I can deal with it now!" she cheered throwing her arm into the air.
"I'm impressed. What possessed you to do that."
"You being a big butthead."
Auron glared at her.
"But, thank you Auron. If it wasn't for you, I would still run in the opposite direction if someone even mentioned the thunder plains." her words an voice were sincere to him.
He cleared his throat and his eyes held a slight look of surprise in them. "Um, I don't know if a, your welcome is all that appropriate in this situation but, your welcome."
Rikku just smiled again. "We're going to take off to Besaid soon so you'll get to see everyone, if you want to of course."
Auron just nodded to her.
"Good. Oh here you go I grabbed you a pair of clothes out in Bevelle what you're in is kind of bloody and needs to be cleaned, so change into this, there's a shower right through that door" she gestured to the door next to a bookcase. "It's not fancy or anything, but it gets the job done! Towels and everything are in there." she went to get up and walk out but a hand stopped her.
"You said you wanted to talk to me after I woke up."
"Oh, yeah. Um, well, I still want to sort through my questions. Could we talk after we land and get situated in Besaid?" uncertainly filling her eyes and her voice.
"Certainly."
With a huge smile came "Great! Oh and Auron I thought of what you could do for a job around Spira now a days!"
"And what would that be" he responded being sure to keep his face straight and free from the worry that was creeping on him.
"You'll join me and search for Spira's history. Just imagine it - SPHERE HUNTER AURON! -"
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Short and uneventful. I apologize. It took me a while to put this out and it sucks. So sorry next chapter will make up for it. This one was sort of lacking inspiration and I needed to get rid of Paine and . . . okay I don't have anymore excuses haha. I just didn't know what to write. I hope you guys will keep reading, I'll give you something good in the next chapter promise, promise!!!!
R/R please and thank you!