(a/n: Thank you very much to all those who have read thus far. It means so much that you guys are entertained by it enough to stick with it ^^ Disclaimer: I think we've established by now that I will never own Final Fantasy)
CHAPTER 8
I didn't think it would be easy sneaking out of the room when I woke up at dawn without waking Auron, but that hadn't even been an issue, since he was apparently already awake and somewhere that wasn't here. I sighed and was about to leave myself when a medium sized package set on the room's only table caught my eye. As I approached, I noticed a small piece of paper laid over it. The paper was folded and on the front, written in familiar careful handwriting, "Please read this first".
I smiled as I opened the letter,
Rikku,
We got off to a rough start, I've said things that maybe I shouldn't have. But I'm only trying to understand you - I'm trying to understand why an Al Bhed would help lead a Summoner to their death. But really I'm just as much to blame for that. I never meant to say anything to make you feel you didn't belong. Anyway, I got you something I thought you might need.
A.
ps. Please ignore any look of disappointment Jecht may give you...he apparently didn't approve of what I got you... But believe me when I say you really don't want to know what he had in mind.
Don't tell me he went out and got me... As I pulled off the lid of the package and saw the new outfit, I was reminded of why I had fallen in love with his future self. I quickly tore off my dirty clothes and after taking a quick shower, I looked at myself in my new ensemble in the full length mirror. I looked good, better than good, I looked - mature.
It suddenly occurred to me that this particular line of fashion was Al Bhed made. Though no one really cared since the designer had never once used machina, so everyone loved his designs and never seemed to notice that he was Al Bhed. But he didn't actually become loved until around the time I turned thirteen which was when the rest of Spira stopped treating all Al Bhed like dirt. That's not to say that before then his designs didn't sell, it's just that you'd have to be ready for the possibility of being heavily criticized if you were to buy one.
This particular design lent itself to travelers who may have frequent run-ins with fiends. The front and back of the top had thin but strong armor sewn into the fabric. Wrist guards were sewn into the sleeves; they were light so they wouldn't weigh down my arms. The pants were made of a very flexible leather and not the kind that squeaked when your skin became damp from sweat but the soft, cool to the touch, silent kind. The top had green and gold threads woven into the light brown fabric. This was a good look for me - a new look, so to complete it I decided to wear my hair differently. Carefully taking the braids out, I pulled my long wavy hair into a high pony-tail, re-braided that and then tied it off.
There...done. And so what if I get criticized for wearing this. I'm a proud Al Bhed! I can't allow this time switch cause me to forget that.
I put on my old boots and left the room into the rising sun of morning. Now it was time to be the girl with a mission, time to find Wakka and/or Lulu.
Silly mission...? Yes. Pointless? Probably. Was I possibly too curious? Most definitely.
I heard the soft pattering of small feet quickly approaching me from behind and slowly turned to see a tanned kid about 10 years old with dark orange hair styled in the most peculiar way. I started to feel a surge of hyperness as I realized who it was. Wakka! It's Wakka! I immediately squelched it, however, when he stopped and gazed up at me with equal parts fascination and disgust.
He smirked and folded his arms, "You're an Al Bhed heathen, what're you doin here?"
I scoffed, "Well aren't you rude."
Apparently 10 years did nothing for his personality.
He scowled, "It's not rude if it's true."
I don't know why I had expected him to be different. Maybe it was because, since we had met (will meet) he came to accept the Al Bhed and our opposite beliefs - of course it could just be that he had found out that Yevon was a sham and that the Al Bhed had it right all along. Funny how learning you'd been lied to your whole life can change your whole line of belief.
"She's right, Wakka," came a young girl's voice from behind him, "You are rude." He slowly turned and then cringed. About five feet away stood a young girl who also looked to be 10 years old. She had shoulder length black hair and dark brown eyes, though at the moment they seemed golden since she was holding a small flame in her right hand. She narrowed her eyes and took two steps toward him, "You really should apologize..."
It quickly became clear that this was Lulu.
Wow. She didn't change much either. It was difficult to hide how amusing I was finding this to be. But, not wanting little Wakka to be set ablaze just for being a moron, "You know, it really doesn't bother me. So how bout you don't set your friend on fire. I'm sure he'll learn from his mistakes - someday."
"Okay. If you really believe that," Lulu smirked and then playfully shot the flame an inch from Wakka's left foot. He yelped and jumped back.
"Hey! I said don't set him on fire!"
"Ya, Lu! What gives?!" Wakka frowned at her.
"Sorry it slipped," Lulu winked at me as she turned and walked away.
Man, even as a kid she was scary!
Wakka took one look at me, gave an apologetic bow and then ran off whimpering.
I stared after him and sweatdropped.
I hope he doesn't remember this when we meet up again ten years from now…
I wandered around until I found the secret path to the beach and as I passed the moss and vine covered cliff-side it occurred to me that there should be a door there. I pulled at the vines revealing a door forgotten by time. But - where is the keypad that opens it? I started scraping the moss away in random areas when I heard a distinct beep sound. My heart thudded excitedly as I removed the remaining moss covering the keypad.
For a moment I just stared at the machina that had survived Sin's savage attack. I reached out and quickly punched in the code and fought down the excited squeal in my stomach caused by the door opening.
You shouldn't have done that, came Bahamut's irritated voice.
I whipped around expecting to find him glaring daggers at me but instead smacked into cool metal and then stumbled backward, but the back of my head never actually connected with the ground.
"Ouchie," I mumbled rubbing my nose. I tensed as I felt myself lifting off the ground.
What's going on?!
That's when I noticed that I had my eyes closed and slowly opened them as I felt myself being lowered back to the ground. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness I was greeted with. I nearly shrieked when a gruff voice from behind me said, "I thought I told you to remain with Lord Braska!"
"He'll be fine - He's probably still asleep! Besides, I couldn't possibly miss seeing Our Rikku in her new attire. Which, by the way, I was completely wrong about…she-looks-HOT!" came a second gruff voice.
I whipped around in time to see Auron do a face-palm and then give Jecht a glare that suggested he wanted to throttle him. Though, whether this was because I was his friend or because I was a woman, wasn't exactly clear.
Was I his friend? Did Auron actually see me that way yet?
"Rikku!"
I snapped out of the crazy train-of-thought, fidgeting, "Huh?! Yes! Hi!" cleared throat, "I-I'm listening…"
Then it occurred to me that we were inside the "Secret Cave" and that Auron was giving me an irritated squinty-eyed glare. So apparently he was really upset about something.
I heard a sound that was wind chimes and a playful wind and then, "I would start with assuming it has something to do with this cave."
I looked to my left and saw Bahamut leaning against the cave wall and once again I felt anxiety rising as the thought that the others had heard him began to creep into my mind.
The child faith chuckled and then, "You may want to think of a believable response."
I looked back to Auron and Jecht; Auron looking at me with equal parts annoyance and concern and Jecht seeming amused, which caused me to wonder if I looked as anxious as I felt.
I took a deep calming breath, "I can explain - You see, this cave is - It's part of - I thought I could -" deep sigh, I stared directly at Auron, "I'm Al Bhed! Cu, uv luinca E fuint fyhd du aqyseha dra rettah sylrehy! Lyh oui naymmo pmysa sa?! Pid E kiacc oui tu pmysa sa! Fro amca fuimt pa muugehk yd sa mega E lusseddat cusa geht uv ydnuledu?! Sayhea!" (So, of course I would want to examine the hidden machina! Can you really blame me?! But I guess you do blame me! Why else would be looking at me like I committed some kind of atrocity?! Meanie!)
I don't really know why I said all that in Al Bhed - it always happens when I get pissed off of nervous to the point of having an anxiety attack. Though the look etched in Auron's eyes suggested he understood every word.
I glared at Bahamut and using thought speech, "You had better have a damn good excuse for having brought me back here to a time where Auron is capable of pissing me off!"
I then turned away from the two stunned-into-silence men and one really old child who had the gull to start laughing at me and stomped off deeper into the cave.
I never thought I could feel so incredibly angry and ashamed at the same time.
XXX
I had been walking for what seemed like hours, though in truth it was probably only about forty minutes, when the soft patter of fast approaching footsteps sounded from behind.
I whipped around, daggers out and felt myself pale as I found Auron taking slow steps back, confusion etched in his features. He sighed, "Why do I get the feeling I've done something to cause you to dislike me?"
I frowned as I lowered my daggers and then reattached them to my belt, "It's not that. I don't - I couldn't… It's not that." I sighed, "I just thought you were mad since I had totally pulled an Al Bhed move by uncovering a Machina that had survived and-"
"Rikku!"
"What?!"
He took a few slow steps toward me, "You've got it all wrong. That's not why I was mad. In fact, mad really isn't the correct term for what I had felt."
I blinked at him, unsure of his meaning, "Then why were you-"
"I was concerned…"
Feeling total shock, "Wh-Wha-Wh-"
He sighed, apparently irritated that I would be shocked, "I was concerned about what would happen to you if someone other than myself and the human blitzball had seen you enter a machina you had carelessly reactivated."
I tried not to appear overly effected by his kind words when it occurred to me that our loud companion wasn't with us. "Speaking of Jecht, where is he?" I glanced around.
"Probably lost, but I wouldn't worry."
I snapped my head up to find Auron looking oddly pleased with himself. I glared in response, "Ha, ha. You may like yourself now, buddy, but you won't feel so smug when he's found - without a head because a fiend bit it off!"
He gave me a look I recognized to be his Don't-be-so-dramatic look.
I groaned, "Look! The thing is if he truly believes he hails from the Zanarkand of a thousand years ago then he probably doesn't know how to safely defend himself. Do you even remember what life was like in the great Machina city that never slept and played all day?"
Auron blinked and appeared to be recalling something unpleasant, "I see your point," heavy sigh, "I'll go look for him," he turned to leave but glanced back at me, "You going to be okay finding your way back out?"
I nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine," which was true since the tunnels in this cave hadn't (wouldn't!) changed all that much in 10 years.
Auron then gave me what may have been a hint of the smile he gave (would give!) 10 years from now, and went off on his search for the VIP Blitzer.
I felt my heart flutter from his almost smile and then groaned when the sudden appearance of stomach flutters caused me to realize that I was totally falling in love with him again.
Bad Rikku!
…
Oh well,-maybe he won't notice.
a/n: It would appear that Auron isn't a constant sayhea ^^
