Chapter Eight:

Through Thunder and Lightning


They had walked through the entrance of Guadosalam. Braska was greeted by a small group of Guado, who bowed their heads in the name of Yevon. Braska who bowed back asked if Maester Guado was around, but he was informed that the Maester had business to attend in Bevelle. Braska then thanked them, and reminded them they would only be a while before crossing the Thunder Plains.

"Well," Braska turned back towards his group of Guardians after his small talk with the Guado, "We're very welcomed. It is refreshing," he smiled, "I did tell them we wouldn't be long."

"And shall I grab food for everyone?" Auron asked. Braska nodded, and reached into his robes for a small pouch. "Grab what you think we need," he said, "I did pick up a few potions, but just in case they have anything extra be sure to by some more." Auron nodded and bowed his head as Braska headed up towards the Farplane.

Jecht stayed behind for a moment and looked at Auron, "I'm really sorry for how I acted."

Auron shook his head, "Jecht, stop. You've apologized enough. I just don't think you will be riding a shoopuf again anytime soon." Auron laughed.

Jecht couldn't help but laugh too. "Yeah. You're right I guess. It's time to make a change. For my kid too. I can't wait to tell him about all of these things!"

Auron couldn't help but smile. When Jecht spoke of his son, he beamed. "But uh," Jecht looked around slowly, "Where did our new partner go?"

Auron had just noticed that Rikku wasn't around them.

No. The second everyone was distracted, Rikku made her way down the path just in front of the Maester's house. There was a seat close by that she sat comfortably upon. Her eyes wouldn't leave the house. She thought of that day when every Guado spoke of Yuna and Seymour's wedding. She remembered feeling angry and confused. And it was then that their pilgrimage took a whole different turn...

"Rikku?"

Auron's voice came from behind her. She turned her head slightly in his direction and smiled. He returned the smile. His hand gestured to the empty seat next to her, and she nodded at it – sit down. "Why are you over here alone?" He asked her as he sat down.

"I wanted to think, that's all."

Auron nodded his head slowly. He leaned his arms forward on his legs and with his feet kicked at the dirt. Again there was an awkward silence between them. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" He asked.

Ohhhh No No No.

"Of course not!" She exclaimed and looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry."

He smiled a half, crooked smile. Something she had never seen before. Instantly, Rikku's heart fell into the pit of her stomach and swirled back up with a pack of butterflies. "Now you're the one apologizing, I see."

Rikku smiled. She had to stop her constant thinking. As she sat on the bench, she reminded herself she agreed to be Braska's guardian. She agreed to stick through this until the end. Regardless of some things don't make sense, and are just too strange for her to grasp – It is happening. And Auron, he is happening. He's by her side, and protective. She managed to get him to see her in just a few days time, and it's what she needed. All I have is a few days with you...

"Did they go up to the farplane already?" Rikku asked. Auron nodded in response and looked up towards its entryway. Rikku followed his eyes and sighed inside. She wondered if the farplane was connected through past, present and future. A small part of her wanted to go up there, and look into the fog to see if He would come – her old Auron. Some did saw the spirits you saw were really just a longing you have that forms in the farplane. What if she could just ask him then?He wouldn't answer even if she did. She would at least tell him...Hey, you see me now.

"You are lost in thought again." Auron said. He had been looking at her. Admiring her. Once she realized it, she turned a light shade of pink. "Ohhh, I'm sorry." She lowered her head and stared at the tips of her fingers. She moved her feet side to side, and felt the blades of grass graze her legs. Auron scooted an inch closer towards her on the bench. His hand reached for hers. He let his fingers slide in between hers and pulled her hand towards his lips; gently did he plant a kiss. She watched him the whole time, lost in his world. She couldn't even see the Guado that walked around them – they were all blurs and shadows, and Auron... Auron was the light she needed. "I'm going to leave you with your thoughts," he said against the softness of her skin, "I'm going to grab items, and some food. Will you be okay?"

Rikku nodded. Her tongue was in a twist; No possible way for her to respond to him. With a smile, Auron placed her hand back on her lap and headed towards the Guado shop. For a moment Rikku was lost in his scent. Lost in the echo of his voice.

It wasn't long until he came back with Braska and Jecht by his side. Braska was red in the face and yet still found it in himself to keep calm and collective. It saddened Rikku to see him in a weak moment, but it was expected. He had probably seen his wife in the Farplane, and spoke to her all of his desires How he had left Yuna behind, and how he missed her so. His sadness hit her to a point where she felt the same pain she had felt the moment Auron was sent by Yuna, and his soul passed on. She fought the urge to cry.

"Are you ready, Rikku?" Braska asked. Still, in his sadness, he was still their leader.

She nodded. She knew what he really meant. Aside from her distance the past few hours, and quiet behavior – he meant if she was ready for the Thunder Plains. She wasn't, to be honest. She really hadn't thought of it, but now that the images of lightning made themselves fresh in her mind her heart broke a speed limit. As they started to walk towards Guadosalam's exit and into the Thunder Plains, Rikku didn't move.

Jecht turned back for a second. "Hey ya gonna make it or what?" he asked.

Rikku nodded quickly and hunched over as she walked towards them. Her steps were slow, full of fear. As she was only a few feet away, she heard the loud clap of Thunder and froze. "Ohh..."

"We have to pass through here. We can rest if-"

"Nononono," Rikku stopped Braska and shook her head. With a deep breath, she puffed up her chest and stood up straight, "I can do this!" She parted through the men with big heavy steps. Her hands were balled up into fists, and she marched; almost like a toy soldier. Her braids bobbed up and down with her head. I can do this, I can do this, she thought to herself. She could see the thunder towers just ahead of her. Each absorbed the light and flashes of lightning.

And then it hit... A big one. ZAAPPPPPP.

All of her courage was suddenly gone. She dropped down to her knees and covered her head with her hands. "Please make the thunder stop..." she whispered.

"Braska," She heard Auron speak, "Go ahead with Jecht. I think I can help Rikku cross. We'll meet you just before Macalania."

"Keep her safe." Braska said. She felt his hand and long robes against his back, "Rikku is that alright with you?"

Rikku nodded quickly. "Y-yes."

As Braska and Jecht walked ahead, she felt Auron take steps towards her. She could hear the gravel and stone just under his feet. And then she heard the thunder. Her body froze. She whimpered. "I'm here." Auron whispered.

He knelt down beside her to lift her up by her shoulders. She shook with fear, and he tried to keep her steady. Another roar of thunder, and another flash of lightning. Rikku couldn't help it. She pressed her body against Auron's and whimpered against his monk robes. To protect her, Auron wrapped his arms around her – he wrapped them tight, to remind her not to be afraid. This was more than D'jose, he realized his presence alone couldn't help her. "Let's stand by a tower for a moment." He whispered into her ear, "But you are going to have to move for me."

Rikku nodded her head against his body. When his feet started to move, her feet followed. They made their way over to the closest tower, just as lightning attracted itself towards the top. "Ah!" Rikku cried out.

"I'm here." Auron said again. He held her close, pressed her gently against the tower and faced her away from the view of the Thunder Plains."I'm here..."

She opened her eyes slowly, and found herself staring at his chest. Slowly raising her eyes, she saw his face. He was her savior in the field of lightning. Her mind thought back to the first time they had come through the Thunder Plains; Auron didn't stop for her then, no matter how she begged. Yet his younger self was full of compasion, and willingness to protect. Was this always him? Was it only because he saw something in her? "Thank you." she said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Now it's my turn to tell you to stop." He smiled. His hands reached down to grab and hold hers tight. "So don't say you're sorry," He said, "I said I will protect you."

"Auron..." Rikku's fear suddenly felt small. Almost non existent. Her heart was still beating a million miles a minute, but not from fear but from love. They stood there against the tower with his body gently pressed against hers. She heard the rocks move under her feet as she shifted slightly; not to move away, but to move closer. He smelled of Auron – not liquor, or any time of alcohol, but just Auron. It was a masculine scent, she couldn't really describe it. But in a way, it caused the sweet buds around her tongue to water. She took in his scent, and let it settle in on her soul. "Auron..." she whispered again.

He didn't say a word to her. He looked into her eyes and studied her. When she looked back into his, she could see the million thoughts running through them. "I don't know what you're doing to me." he said softly.

I don't know either. But I've felt like this about you for a long time. "I don't know either..." she responded, in an equally soft voice.

He leaned in slow with his lips just half an inch from hers. She felt his hot breath against her mouth, and melted – And there it was, the small scent of liquor on his breath. Something she knew she would always be attracted to, that scent in him. The seconds turned into what felt like minutes as they just stood there with their lips barely touching. Her eyes followed the line of his mouth; In the flashes of lightning, she could clearly see the rest of the light stubble around his chin and lips. He was very slowly turning into the grown, old man she desired so. "Auron..." she let her breath touch his lips.

Auron sighed, a deep sigh. "I don't want to ruin this moment..." he said.

"Then don't." Rikku responded. Her knees were weak with anticipation. Just kiss me again.

"I need to tell you something." he said quietly. Rikku blinked, and looked into his eyes. Is this it? Is it happening? "Please, understand why I'm going to tell you this... I'm no good with women. I..."

I find that hard to believe, legendary guardian Auron... She didn't respond, but listened. Not once did she remove her eyes from his. Around them, the thunder and lightning still crashed against the towers. She paid them no mind. "I..." Auron started again, but didn't finish.

He pressed his lips against hers. Rikku couldn't hold in the sound of satisfaction that escaped her throat. Her fingers tightened against his as he still held her hands, and as he deepened the kiss, she pulled him closer to her. She could hear his deep breaths; the groans from deep within his throat. What if he loves me? "Auron..." Rikku sighed against his mouth.

He shook his head, and kissed her again, deeper than before. His hands released hers and moved towards her waist. He pulled as close to him as he could. The sound of thunder couldn't drown out their sounds of desire, their sounds of need. He had his hands on the small of her back and around waist. Rikku's fingers dug deep into the lines of his muscular arms. It was beautiful. He was delicious; Ohh, was he delicious. Her heart skipped too many beats than her body could handle."Auron, wait..." Rikku stopped.

Auron pulled away slowly, and tried to catch his breath. His dark eyes seemed to glow in the reflectuin of the lightning. "What's wrong? Am I hurting you?"

No! No, you're not. I don't want you to stop... "Auron..." Rikku couldn't say it. She wanted to look him in the eye and tell him she was madly in love with him. Her brain told her it was too soon to love him – or, to him it would be too soon to love. But this, she would accept in the mean time. She rose both of her hands towards his face, and kissed him again. Auron groaned again, and grabbed her hands from his face. As he returned her kiss, lightning struck just near their feet. They didn't care...

They kissed for what seemed like forever, both of them over whelmed with giggles and smiles. In complete bliss they rushed through from thunder tower to thunder tower, avoiding all shots of lightning around them. And as they reached the end of the Thunder Plains, and saw Braska and Jecht waiting in the distance, they stopped for a second. "Rikku?"

She looked at him with a loving smile, "Yes, Auron?"

He smiled. Still, whatever he wanted to say, he couldn't. "Did you notice I'm not scared?" Rikku decided to say.

Auron laughed, and nodded his head, "Yes. I've noticed. You're welcome." he said.

She smiled wider, "Thank you."

Braska waved in their direction with a large smile. His sadness had faded almost completely. And perhaps seeing Rikku cheery as she exited the Thunder Plains only made it better. "Are you both alright?" he said as both Auron and Rikku made their way in front of them, "No fiends?"

"No, no fiends." Auron said, "Although our new guardian would handle herself, I'm sure."

"Yes she would." Braska smiled. "I see you're not scared of the lightning?"

Rikku shook her head. "I am not." she said, and giggled.

Jecht chimed in his voice, "Don't know what you do, Auron, but she is definitely safe with you!"

Auron looked back at Rikku and smiled, "She is."

Rikku face flushed pink. It was clearly evident there was an attraction between and she wondered if Braska would ask Auron about it. Yet even as she wondered, she didn't care. It was everything she needed. Now she just needed to try and return his affection; his protection. She will make everything right...