Finally I finished this! And for the first time, I am truly happy with they way it ended. I had been going over some past reviews of older stories and many of them had complaints about the ending being rushed. I agree wholeheartedly. But this time I tried to take it nice and slow. However, doing so extended this chapter quite far, so expect to be reading for a while. Twelve pages is a lot of typing and reading. Well, anyway, I hope you enjoy and please let me know your thoughts before you leave. It means so much! Gin
Disclaimer: I own no rights to the characters or places used within this work of fiction. That honor goes to Square.
--
By the time Rikku woke up the next morning, the snow storm had died down leaving a fresh coat of white ground. The sun shone down on it making appear to be glowing. She allowed herself to smile before a voice caught her off guard.
"Lovely isn't it?" She spun quickly to see Auron standing right where he had been all night. He went on when she said nothing. "Spira is full of sights like this. You have to look around to find them." His gaze traveled out over the landscape before coming back and settling on her. "We leave when you are ready." Leaving her alone, he entered the cave and began dousing the embers left of the fire.
Rikku watched from outside still unsure what to make of him. Two fingers reached up and touched her lips. She had kissed him last night, but she did not understand why she did it. Yet it had felt so right. A flash of pain entered her chest and her hand dropped to cover where it was. She fell to one knee before managing to will it away. By the time it was over, she forgot what she had been thinking over.
Auron exited the cave, sword sheathed on his back. He saw her on the ground and rushed over. While he did not lower himself, he did ask if she was alright.
"What do you care?" She spat to him. "There is nothing for you to concern yourself with. Let's move on." Standing, she took the lead knowing Auron would be right behind her. They traveled in silence, the only sound being from fiends that were felled.
It was hours later that they arrived at the edge of the city. "What now?" Auron spoke mainly to himself though it was still loud enough to be heard by Rikku.
"What now?" She mocked him. "Now we enter and get what I came here for. The last fayth should be..." She trailed off as she closed her eyes in thought. They opened a moment later and she began heading off to the east. She never bothered to tell him where they were going, he would just follow without her command, so why bother?
The city was loud, and it was bright. There must have been a game starting soon. This was the only place in Spira where you could go at any time of the day or night and be able to either play or watch a blitz game. There were sphere pools dotted all over every section of the city, except one.
They had come here once before, years ago. They had been chasing Seymour and Rikku down before they reached Yunalesca. They had not made it in time then, but this was different. Auron could feel it in the air right away. It was almost ominous feeling. Oppressive you could say, the very air felt heavy as if something dreadful was about to happen.
He tried to shrug the feeling away without letting Rikku know.
"Are you scared?" She taunted just before they entered the old sphere pool.
"Only to see how events are about to transpire." He answered in a cryptic manner.
Rikku gave him a look before entering.
--
"They have entered." Shinra told the gang as he stared at the screen in front of him.
Tidus leaned over him as if he knew what he was looking at. "So how much time do we have?"
"I don't know. It depends on them I guess. However long it takes for Rikku to get the aeon and come back." He shrugged before typing in some keys. "I would give us about an hour. It seems she is strong enough to gather it and exit quickly."
Yuna clasped her hands together in front of her chest. Though this was not the big showdown yet, they had to somehow trick Rikku into fleeing closer to Guadosalam with hurting her much before then. She only hoped that Auron would know what they were trying to do and act accordingly. "We better hurry then."
"I'm coming with you." Cid spoke up before her and Tidus left the bridge. "Don't know how much an old man like me can do, but I'm not going to stand here and watch."
"Very well. Then welcome along, Uncle Cid." Yuna bowed before taking the lead. She was mostly a white mage, but Lulu had taught her some simple black magic that she hoped could be useful. With Rikku as powerful as she was, it wouldn't be much of a worry to hurt her. But Tidus was a quick fighter and strong. She would serve mostly as a distraction. Though she was unsure how Cid would be able to help. Like he said, he was older, and not nearly as fast. But they could use every once of help they could get.
The trio left the airship making sure not to stray too far. If they had to make a quick retreat, they wanted to be close enough to do just that. Making sure each one of them had a weapon, they exited the ship and headed to where Rikku and Auron had entered the old stadium. The first thing Tidus did when they arrived was sit right down on the ground.
"Best stay on your feet, boy." Cid warned him. "We don't know when they plan on coming out."
"I know that. But why stand and make myself tired when I can sit here?" He objected. "I move fast, I can be ready in a second." He added the last part when Cid began glaring.
"For all of our sakes, I hope so."
The wait was boring and full of silence. No one was brave enough to say much of anything afraid that if they did, they would be caught unawares by the return of what used to be a close friend turned enemy.
The sound of a door opening caught their attention. Rikku came out first closely followed by Auron. At first she failed to noticed the three people waiting for her, but Tidus' sudden leap to his feet drew her to them.
"You would try and stop me even now?" She taunted them thinking she knew just why they were there. "I am the most powerful being in Spira now. Even more so then Lady Yunalesca herself." She raised her hands over her head in a victory pose. "I now control all aeons that roam Spira, including each legendary one. I dare you to stop me." She lowered her arms to her sides and narrowed her eyes.
Auron stepped in front of her and raised his sword to his friends. "They must get past me first. I will not allow them to lay a hand or spell on you."
Three mouths dropped open in shock. Had Auron really been pushed so far? He was ready to kill them where they stood. His lips were set in a thin line indicating that he was all serious. But it was Yuna who caught the quick nod of his head telling them that everything was according to plan. She grinned slightly letting him know she had seen it.
Tidus who had missed the exchange went in for the first attack. If Auron really had changed so much, he was going to make sure the man would be one less obstacle to save Rikku. It was a hard decision, but Rikku needed a chance to live life. For so many years she had been forced to endure one hardship after another. Auron would understand his reasoning in time. His light sword was raised over his head prepared for the first strike, but Auron saw it coming. Loud clashing of metal on metal could be heard as the two men fought. The short battle went on before Auron stopped it.
It was good Tidus felt this way, it made the fight more realistic to Rikku who stood behind him watching. Using his own heavy sword as a shield, Auron easily deflected the younger man's attack. He pushed off with his weapon and sent the boy flying back to land on his bottom in front of Yuna. She quickly leaned down and helped him to his feet.
"Rikku, what do you think you are doing? Stop this nonsense now and come home. Your brother and I miss you."
Having heard her name being called, Rikku startled. She had been so intent on watching Auron fight for her that she failed to see the oldest person in front of them. She took a step closer but remained behind her human shield. "I have no home." She replied sternly. "And I don't need yours. Soon all will come to an end including you."
Auron turned his head slightly and could just barely make out the slight glow showing through her shirt. He knew it was the aeon soul within her that was controlling her actions. "Rikku." He called over his shoulder. "We should run now while we still have a chance. We do not have time to waste fighting this riff-raff."
Tidus stiffened at the comment. He did not like the bad name he was referred to as. "Oh no you don't!" He shouted as he watched light swirl around Rikku's form before a dragon fell from the sky in front of him. The crash on the ground caused him to fall back once more.
"Now, Rikku, we leave." Auron sheathed his sword on his back before following Rikku on top of the aeon. In a gust of wind, Bahamut flapped his wings and took to the sky while the trio looked on.
Yuna was the first to speak. "I think we should get ready for the next step."
Tidus glanced over at her confusion written all over his face. "Next step? You mean this isn't it?"
"No you fool! Auron should be leading her closer to Guadosalam. We make our final strike there." Cid turned around and headed back to the airship.
--
"Are you so weak you could not take out that boy?" Rikku snapped from her place on the front of the aeon. She had turned her head just enough to be heard over the rushing of the air, but no more. It shamed her to even gaze upon the man behind her.
"Forgive me, but I felt it was in your best interest to escape for the time being. It was not a decent time to fight. You are still weak from acquiring that aeon. I wanted you to rest before the end."
Auron answered her question smoothly, almost too smooth. Rikku narrowed her eyes at him before a feeling of faintness came over her. She brought one hand up to her head trying to push the feeling away. Clouds rumbled below her and she suddenly knew where she was. Auron had tricked her into coming closer to where she would be at her weakest!
"Are you well?" He spoke up concern lacing his voice. "Perhaps gathering the aeon was more stress on your body then I previously guessed." He reached out and tried to pull her body close to his own. Truth was, he felt the weariness hit him just as she had. But he, being older and stronger could resist the effect better then her smaller body could. He knew they were close to the city. Close to saving Spira from certain ruin. If only the rest of the group would come quickly.
She pushed him away trying to point a finger at him. "You planned this. You knew..." She trailed off unable to speak her suspicions.
"I assure you, I do not know what you are referring to. But you need to land and get some rest. Your control over the aeon below us is growing weaker. We will be forced into a landing if you do not do it soon. I do not fancy the pain that would accompany a fall from this height."
"Very well. We stop." Rikku agreed, but only because she was in no shape to argue.
Bahamut's feet gently hit the ground where he allowed his passengers off in a relative safe place. As soon as the last foot hit the rocky ground, the dragon entered the sky once more where it was then gone. Rikku wavered for only a second before Auron reached out and caught her.
"You will be fine, but you must trust me. I will not allow anything grievous to happen. Now, rest. I will awaken you in time."
Bahamut had dropped them off in a place where the rain was unable to reach them, and Auron helped set Rikku down using a rock for a pillow. Her eyes were closed right away and as he stood, he took the time to observe his surroundings. "The others should be here soon. I cannot keep deceiving her for long. Rikku is smart, she will figure out the plan in time. I can only hope Yuna conveyed my message to the others."
He turned his attention back to the young sleeping woman. His heart broke for her knowing what he was about to do, but it was not something he began lightly. It a harsh journey he had began, and he would finish it. Light circled her body of its own accord, and he took a step back in slight fear. The light came together before the shape of a young boy of about ten stood in front of him.
"Bahamut." He greeted.
The form of the boy was almost clear and had no substance. When he opened his mouth, his voice was weak at best. "Listen to me close, this may be my only chance to say this." Bahamut said when he noticed Auron staring at him. Auron nodded and he went on. "The farplane is close, close enough to give me this chance to speak to you. We do not wish to see the death of Rikku again. She was never meant to taste death to begin with, but it was a mistake on our part, the fayth. Right now though, she fears what comes next, but the aeon soul that she carries quenches that fear.
"You must be strong enough to fight the battle where she cannot. We fayth desire rest, please help us rest once more? Destroy what should have never been created to begin with. The aeon soul is what keeps us trapped, if it is gone, then we will be able to be as well."
With the vague warning given, Bahamut faded from view. Auron rubbed his tired eyes wondering if what he had just seen was real or imagined. He could come to the only conclusion that it was real seeing as it was information he needed to know now.
Gently he lifted Rikku up in his arms. It was a shame he had to awaken her so soon. She was so at peace in her sleep that it was hard not to just let her go. A roar over his head let him know that the airship would be landing soon. With a soft kiss to her forehead, he started the trek across the plains.
--
Cid was waiting for him as soon as he arrived. Rikku had not stirred once during his walk and he surmised that the fayth must have had something to do with that one.
"Are we ready to do this?" The bald man asked as soon as Auron approached.
"As ready as I will ever be." He responded.
With a nod, Cid was gone and Auron shook the young woman in his arms to wake her up. "Rikku, it is time."
She yawned before huffing. "You can let me go now."
"My apologies, I did not think you would like a hard greeting with the ground." But he set her down on her feet and followed her as she walked. The weak feeling settling within his bones was stronger then ever here, and he know it was the same for Rikku.
She paused in her advancement and faced him. "You brought me to Guadosalam?" She shouted in anger. "Do you know what this means?" He was about to open his mouth and answer, but she went on not giving him the chance to do so. "No, of course you don't. If you did, we would not be here now. Come along, let's just get out of this city quickly. I do not wish to be..." Her rant stopped just as three people stepped in front of her path. She brought one hand up to her head in frustration. "Do you people ever give up?" Rikku snapped at them.
"Doesn't seem that way, does it?" Cid answered first as he took the lead. He looked over his daughter's shoulder and addressed the man that stood there. "Auron, I know this won't be easy, but we are ready."
Taking that as his cue, Auron circled around Rikku until he stood in front of her. This time his sword was not pointed away as if to protect, but now it was aimed at Rikku. "It pains me to have to do this, but the anguish I bore watching you do this was more then I could bare. I must stop you anyway I can. This ends now." The others stepped up until they were on either side of him.
Rikku stared at him in shock. "You wouldn't dare." She hissed.
"Try us." Tidus spoke up. After Yuna had explained to him what had gone on in the northern city, he was ready to stand by his mentor once again. "This isn't you, Rikku. All we want is our friend back." He spoke softly, gently, hoping that his words reached her wherever she was.
Rikku's head lowered to the ground and they thought it might be easier then thought, but when it shot back up, eyes blazing in anger, they knew the assumption was wrong. "You foolish beings! I will end your lives for you before you can even think of fleeing!"
"No!" Yuna shouted. "We will not run, we will stand our ground and be strong. We will fight, not because we want to, but because we must. We will do so to protect those in the world before they too are lost." She held her fighting staff a little bit tighter in her hand before shouting her next thing. "Protect!"
Tidus could feel the barrier as it surrounded his body. It was like a cool wall that covered his whole body. "Alright! Lets' rock!" The first chance he had, he hit the group with a spell making them all feel lighter on their feet. It was as if all weight left them, and gravity no longer had any effect. Tidus was also the first to make the next move. He gripped his sword tightly in one hand as he rushed in. Even if he was worried about hurting his friend, he knew that many more would be hurting if this wasn't stopped now.
Auron watched the scene as if it moved in slow-motion. Tidus running in, his sword raised in front of him, but Rikku was prepared. She raised one delicate hand and used magic to blast him back. Lucky for him, the protect barrier took the brunt of the damage, but that didn't make falling back hurt less.
"Child! Simpleton. I don't have time to play games with the likes of you." Rikku snapped as she watched Tidus fall. Her gaze shifted until they found the only person she wanted; Auron. "You were planning this all along. You knew I detested this place!"
"Yes." He replied in as monotone as possible.
"You knew I would be weaker if I was here!"
"Again, yes."
"Then you will die with that confession still on your lips."
"If that is the way it must be."
"Auron, no! You can't!" Yuna's mouth dropped as she watched Auron stand in place as Rikku moved in closer prepared to take him out first. He would not step away, nor defend himself. She wanted to run to him, to explain to him that he was still needed, but Cid caught her arm and shook his head.
"This is his battle now. We have to trust he knows what he is doing."
"Cid's right. This is between them." Tidus added his own bit.
Auron waited until Rikku was almost up to him, a spell was carefully held in her hand. She wanted to force the power into his chest and listen as his heart stopped beating before he died. But she was just short of him when she felt a pain in her side and she was sprawled on the ground. The magic in her hand sputtered before disappearing.
She shot to her feet trying to act as if she knew he was going to do that. Again, Auron's sword smacked her back to the hard ground.
"What is he doing?" Tidus whispered in wonderment.
Yuna watched this happen for several more times before she understood. Every time he used his weapon to knock her down, it was closer and closer to the entrance to the farplane. By the time she would be able to notice, it would be too late. Cid, Tidus and herself followed behind them casting offensive magic once in a while to help Auron achieve his goal.
By the time they got to the top of the farplane stairs, both Rikku and Auron were struggling to stand. But the spells that circled Auron kept him up just a little longer. He was not aiming to hurt her, only knock her back closer and closer.
"It looks like I win." He said quietly for only Rikku to hear.
"Not if I can do anything about it." Rikku hissed as she tried to prepare another spell.
Turning his head away so he would not be forced to watch the pain as it crossed her face, he swung his sword one last time. He had only one chance to do this right. Rikku's howl of pain was heard just before a quiescent ping of glass hit the ground and shatter. Behind him were gasps of shock as they watched what he had just done.
Dropping his sword, Auron ran for Rikku before she even had a chance to fall. Her chest was bleeding profusely where he had struck her. Allowing them both to slide to the ground, Rikku used one hand to cover her chest in a mock attempt to stop the flow of blood. Her breath was coming in rapid gasps.
"You...you attacked...me."
"Yes, Rikku. Yes I did." He bowed his head so that his forehead touched hers briefly. "Forgive me. I saw no other way."
"It is...alright. I under...stand." Her eyes began to cloud over, but Auron refused to let her go yet.
"Not yet. You can't go yet." He pleaded with her softly.
She forced herself to focus once more. "What...what is..left?" She questioned.
Cid moved and took her hand on her other side. "Rikku, is that you? You are yourself once more?"
"Pops?" Her eyes moved to see him clearly.
"Yes, I'm here. But we still need you to do once more thing. Think you can do it, kiddo?"
"I..don't know. I can...try."
Yuna hurried to cast a healing spell before she lost her chance. It gave her cousin just enough strength to breath without effort. The blood slowed it's flow as well. "She should be able to now." Turning away, Yuna allowed Tidus to wrap his arms around her and lead her back to the airship. Her heart was hurting too much to stay any longer.
Auron licked his lips before speaking. "You have to call the aeons. They still reside in you. They want rest, you have to give them that."
Rikku darted her eyes between the two men. At seeing them both nod, she knew she had to do it. "Okay. I can do it." With Cid and Auron's help, she got to her feet. They stood nearby as she called each aeon one by one.
As they appeared at her summoning, they could see each of them smile in their own way before passing into the barrier of the farplane. Bahamut was the last to go, and Auron almost felt bad to see it happen. The boy was rather endearing in his own way. But he would see them again once he passes to the other side himself.
As soon as the dragon crossed, Rikku collapsed. She had no energy to stay any longer. Auron was by her side right away. "It is our turn now. We don't belong here any longer." He spoke more to Cid then himself or Rikku, but she did not know that.
Cid understood and nodded his head. "Guess I'll have to come see you real soon." He plastered a fake smile on his face, but it refused to meet his eyes.
"Auron, what is going on?" Rikku asked now that he held her in his arms. Her wound was bleeding once more, she should not be able to last this long. Yet something so minor is nothing when you are already dead.
"You and I need to leave now. We are not of the living, we have played this game far too long." His words were stretched at the end as if he had yawned the last part of his little speech. It made him sound older then his thirty some years.
Cid watched in a mix between gladness and despair as Auron kissed Rikku one last time and then carried her through the barrier for their eternal rest. He really was proud of the stoic man.
--
Tidus lifted his head at the sound of the door to the bridge sliding up. He noticed the dejected expression Cid wore and had to ask. "So, what happened?" They were the only two in the room, everyone else having gone off to get some rest.
Shaking his head, Cid sat down before he could answer anything. "They're gone, son. Doesn't look like they will be back again this time either." Turning away in his seat, Cid stared out over the plains where the ship had landed. The rains beat down the the machina giving them a better reason to drown in sorrow.
"Can we head to Besaid next then? We need to think about rebuilding our homes there."
"An excellent reason. Fine, as soon as our pilots return, off we go!" He stood, clapped Tidus on the shoulder and headed out to get some rest himself. "Don't stay here too late." He warned before leaving.
--
Rikku laughed as she ran from person to person greeting each one as if she hadn't seen them for years. The first place Auron had taken her when they arrived was to see the home of the fayth. He demanded they remove the memory shield right away. No matter what had happened to her, it wasn't right that Rikku not be able to know about it. It helped define who she was.
Right now, he was following behind her at a much more casual pace. This was her chance to become used to everyone again. And while he knew they were going to be for a long time to see them, he also knew that meant a long time for him as well. He could handle sharing her for now.
"Hey, Auron!" A rough voice shouted at him ruining his thoughts. "What are you doing way over there? Get over here and join us. Wait till you hear the story I have to tell you!" Jecht threw his head back as he laughed.
"Jecht, please." Braska begged as he came closer his long robes flowing around him yet never becoming dirty despite the fields of flowers and such. "Allow the man a chance to rest first. It's been a trying time for him."
Auron thanked his friend with a nod of the head, but secretly he did want to know what was so exciting. "It is...alright. I'm sure whatever the news is, Jecht won't be able to wait to tell me."
"See. I told you so!" Jecht laughed again before placing one hand on Auron's shoulder and leading him away from where the others were gathered all trying to talk to Rikku at once. "You know how when you die, you're supposed to come here?" He began in a surprisingly calm tone. Unsure what to think yet, Auron simply nodded.
"Shortly before you arrived, we found someone else who decided to show up. This time to stay."
Quickly doing the math in his head, Auron tried to suppress a gasp only to fail miserably. "Not him."
"You bet it was!" At his exclamation, Rikku looked up from the conversation she was having. Seeing Auron being led away, she refused to allow him to go alone. Excusing herself, she joined the pair.
"Where are we going, huh? I want to know too!"
Jecht frowned. He did not want Rikku to be subjected to any more trauma then need be. "I don't think so. This is only for us men."
Pouting, she crossed her arms. "I don't think so. I know I'm dead now, but that doesn't mean I can't still hurt you."
Jecht gulped. He knew she was more then capable of following through with her threat. "Ah, but don't blame me when you see things you don't wanna."
"I will take responsibility then." Auron assured the tanned man. Taking Rikku's smaller hand within his own, he encouraged Jecht to continue on.
The trotted silently until they stood in front of a stone wall. Doors appeared in front of them and they entered slowly. Rikku gasped as what she saw. Men and woman seemed to be tortured constantly.
"What is this place?" She asked almost too soft to be heard. She moved until her body was pressed against Auron's.
"This is punishment." Jecht announced. Several people looked up and glared at him. He smirked in response, and went on. "Those who continued to live lives of hatred and posing misery on others come here until either they finally see their errors, or give up entirely. The power of the fayth keep them here. We had a heck of a time with them for a while there, but as you can see, everything is back on track!"
"So why are we here?" Auron snapped a little more harsh then he intended.
"To ease your mind and soul, Sir Auron." A different voice answered for Jecht.
The three of them looked down to see Bahamut standing before them. "You again, huh?" Jecht greeted.
"Over there. Look if you will." The fayth pointed off to the side where they could see Seymour unhappily glaring at them. "We fayth will make sure he does not have the power to cause misery on others again. His time here will not be short. We are sorry you had to witness this as well, however, Miss Rikku."
Rikku was staring at him in awe. A part of her wanted to run over to him and try and help him, but she knew that this was where he needed to be. "No, it's okay, really. I just...don't know what to say."
"Very well then. Although it was unplanned for this to happen in such a manner, we fayth have something we must tell the two of you."
All three sets of eyes stared at the boy not understanding what he was hinting at.
"Us?" Rikku asked dumbly as she pointed at herself and Auron.
"Yes. You need to go home. You do not belong here."
Auron had had enough already. He stomped closer forgetting that he still held Rikku's hand within his own. She was violently pulled along. "Excuse me?" He shouted in anger. "What is that supposed to mean? I fought to get here, there is no where else to go after this!"
Jecht stepped back suddenly afraid of the man. He had never seen his friend so worked up, ever.
"There is one place." Bahamut smiled before everything went white. The only things left were Auron, Rikku and himself. "Now, it is time."
"Wait! I don't get it!" Rikku tried to call out only to feel as if her voice was quickly caught up by an unseen, unfelt wind. The next thing she knew was darkness.
--
He groaned as he tried to pull oxygen into his chest. Not an easy task when his face was still laying in the ground under him. He turned his head to breath and also find out where he was. The area was covered in thick jungle, somewhere off in the distance he could hear the sound of water falling. A bird in the trees above sang forcing him to roll over and find it.
"Where am I?" He questioned himself not surprised when he did not receive no answer. The bird in the tree looked down at him before flying away. All of a sudden, it was as if a light went off in his head. He knew where he was. This was Besaid island.
"Rikku!" He said as he jolted to a sitting position. "I have to find her." Auron took another glance around wondering what had happened to his weapon. If he had none, it was a good chance Rikku wouldn't either. His sword was no where to be found and that worried him. With an agitated growl, Auron shot through the woods searching for the young woman.
Surprisingly he was not accosted by fiends even once. He should have been thankful for this, yet he dwelled too much into the what ifs. What if they were attacking Rikku? What if they were waiting for him to let his guard down completely? What if...the list went on.
He stopped at the edge of the jungle. It cleared away enough for a cliff to be seen that overlooked the village below. It was here that he found Rikku with her legs dangling over the side and staring down below.
"Rikku." He spoke quietly.
She turned around using one hand to make sure she kept her balance and not fall. "Hello, Auron." She responded just as quiet. "Isn't it a nice view?" She turned back to where she had been staring before.
He released a breath he had been holding before standing over her. "Have you been here this whole time?" How could she have been here and not even bothered to come search for him? The idea was preposterous!
"I'm not sure. I guess so. I woke up, and here I was. I would have come try and find you, but..."
"But...?" He repeated trying to lead her on.
"I can't go back. I know what I did to them." She pointed far below to a woman in black. She was carrying something in her arms before greeting a man with wild red hair. "That's Lulu. Her and Wakka lost their home because of me. I saw Yuna not too long ago too. She looked so happy now that the village was rebuilt. How can I go down there knowing what I have done?"
He took a deep breath before sitting next to her. "The past is just that, the past. Dwelling in what you cannot change is futile. They do not care what you have done, only that you are here now."
Her eyes lifted until they met his. He could see the faint traces of tears starting to build in them. Compassion grew and he could do nothing except wrap one arm around her shoulders and pull her close. "Yes, Rikku. I mean that. They did not fight as hard as they did because they hated you. It was quite the opposite." He answered her unasked question.
With her face snuggled close to his chest, Rikku could smell the scent that was distinctly him. She loved that scent and liked the idea of being able to have that everyday for the rest of her life if she had to. That was when it really sank in. They were really alive again. Not like before when their bodies pretended to have form, this was the real thing now. The tears melted away and she moved so that she could press her lips against his.
"Rikku, what are...?" Auron tried to ask before understanding what she was doing. He smiled mentally as she tried to explore every part of him she could. They were both breathless by the time she pulled away.
"I'm ready now. Let's go, Auron!" Jumping to her feet, she grabbed his hand and tried to pull him up as well. "We got people to see again! I'm not wasting a minute anymore!"
Auron shook his head as he strolled along behind her. A hidden smiled graced his features as he watched her enter the village only to be greeted by friends and loved ones who accepted her with open arms. He knew they would not care about what she had done in the past. They had what they wanted, their friend back.
He tried to remember what had really happened to bring them back, but found himself unable to. He scowled before chuckling quietly. He had lost all memories of his time in the farplane, but perhaps it was better this way. One should never know too much about the other side until it was time to stay there. Silently thanking the fayth, he knew it could be no other, Auron came closer to the center of the village where everyone was gathered.
Rikku was quick to clasp his hand in her own as her eyes shown up at him with nothing short of adoration. He was going to enjoy life this time. Rikku would make sure of that.
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