A/N: Hey new chapter for you guys! I dropped a few future chapter hints in the shoutouts, and I put them in bold for you to see. Shout outs: (why aren't the page breaks working! the chapter is to cluttered!)

rikkulovesauron: thanks for reviewing! Yeah I was going to wait a little longer for them to talk, but decided to get it done!

Psychostudent06: yeah I really like kimahri now, I never really payed him much attention in the game, but I am going to go into how he and Auron know each other soon, and why he's pushing auron to rikku:)

telcontarian: hey thanks for reading! Seymour is a jerk...grrr.. Keep reading:)

lucifer yaway: Thanks! I'm glad to do kimahri justice. Hmm interesting, Kimahri? A girlfriend? Maybe he has a little furry something something waiting on Gagazet...

Phantom Nightshade: thanks for reviewing:) glad you though it was cute, hope you like tidus and yuna in this chapter!

Sockpudding: yup, things are getting fluffier finally. I'm not looking right now, but in one of the chapters in the story, Auron says the last time he kissed someone was seven years ago, or something? Well, he's going to explain that story to Rikku soon...

Disco me pretty: thanks, I figured I'm not doing much with wakka and lulu so I would give kimahri some of the stoplight for once.

XxRhixx: hey thanks for reading as always! Love ya!

Taggerung0254: what are you doing reading this story! You should be hard at work on your next update! Go! Get! Thanks for reading:) By the way if you guys haven't read "Mermaid off the Port Bow!" yet, go read it after you finish this:)

summoner's guardian: I know right! Stupid dead issue...thanks!

Save.TAY: yup! see psychostudnet06's shoutout...I have an interesting idea for why kimahri is pushing them together coming:)

my star will shine bright: that's ok! Thanks!

BlueFlamesRedTears91: Hey! That's awesome! yeah! I ain't afraid of no ghosts...I mean aeons:) thanks! See below!

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Disclaimer: I don't own Final fantasy

Memories

This chapter is dedicated to BlueFlamesRedTears91. I'm glad you helped me complete my mission of spreading Aurikkus around! I can't wait to read your fic! Thanks!

Memories are strange things. Some memories you don't think about for years, then suddenly they hit you so fast, you wonder if it really happened or if it was a dream.

What is your most vivid childhood memory? Mine was actually a dream I had. My mom and I were sitting on the grass behind my elementary school having a picnic. There were a few other kids and their parents, each spaced far apart, enjoying their lunches. That is, until a snowy white wolf ran out of the line of forest bordering the field. I remember the dream like I just dreamed it last night, but it was sixteen years ago. I was five.

Yuna also experienced her most vivid memory when she was five as well. She hadn't thought about it for years, but as she stood alone in the woods she remembered.

It was the day her father had told her he was to become a summoner. She didn't really understand what that meant at the time, but he promised he would make Sin go away. Yuna understood what Sin was and if her father was going to make it go away, she was fine with that.

She was there with her father as he began his training. Little by little, she began to see his determination grow stronger. Then Braska sat her down to tell her what would happen to him. Yuna remembered she was wearing her favorite white dress. She loved the way it swung around her knees and loved the little pink flowers embroidered on the neckline.

Braska sat her down next to a great fountain in Bevelle and spoke to her of how much he loved her. He explained to her what a summoner's duty was and how much it meant to him. Then he said the sentence that would stick with Yuna forever.

"Yuna, after I defeat Sin and Spira is safe again, I will go to the Farplane." Braska had told her.

Yuna knew what the Farplane was. Her mom was there. "So after you beat Sin. You'll go see mommy?"

Braska chuckled at the view Yuna took. "Yes I will go see mommy."

"But what about me?" Yuna asked as she began to understand that her father was going to die.

"I will be with you ever day until my pilgrimage Yuna. Everyday. Then after I am gone, I will be in your heart Yuna. Everyday."

Yuna remembered her dad picking her up and hugging her then. They spent everyday for the next two years together. She had her dad for two whole years before he died, and she never wasted a moment.

Now, sitting by the shimmering spring in the woods, she wished she had know her father during his pilgrimage. What would he did? What did he do? How was she to know everything that would happen! She didn't expect the blunt sacrilege in Bevelle. This was the Spira she was fighting for? A Spira that held twisted maesters in high regards and opted to torture women?

For the first time in her life, Yuna felt her resolve falter. Everything had been so clear before, but now she was lost. Yuna wanted to cry, but she couldn't find the strength. She was too mad to cry.

"Yuna?"

Yuna turned to see Tidus sit beside her. He looked down at his shoes and sighed. Yuna didn't move. She wasn't sure if she was ready to talk yet.

Tidus nodded his head as I he were coming to a decision he made in his head. He stood up and moved in front of Yuna offering her his hand. Yuna took it and was pulled up against his body. She blushed as Tidus hugged her close to him.

"Yuna, I'm so sorry. I've been so stupid! I had no idea what was going to happen after you beat Sin."

"Tidus-"

"I made all these stupid promises I would never be able to keep! You probably wanted to hit me!"

"Tidus-" she tried again.

"Then they told me at the Al-Bhed home and I felt so stupid. I'm so stupid Yuna!"

"Tidus no!" She yelled. "Don't you see? Those promises are what made me happy. I wasn't sad. I felt excited because you like me and what better feeling is there?"

Tidus looked down into her bi-colored eyes and shook his head. "I thought I was hurting you."

"No" she answered sadly. "You were helping me, the only way you could."

Tidus squeezed her again and led her to the water's edge. He let her go and took her hand, pulling her into the water with him. They swam out in the middle and Tidus pulled her to him again.

"Don't worry Yuna. I won't let you sink" he smiled at her trying to tread water with him.

"Yuna? Can't you just stop?" He asked.

Yuna looked up at him. "No"

"Why not Yuna! You want to be bullied around by those assholes in Bevelle? Please don't die for them!" Tidus pleaded.

"I'm not dying for them", she answered, realizing the truth she always knew, "I'm dying for Spira"

"But Yuna, you can let the other summoners do it!" He tried again.

"No, it must be me. I know I will be the one. Issaru and Dona and the others don't have what it takes. I know I do. I must be the one, however hard it is."

Tidus nodded. "I know you are determined Yuna and I respect that. I just don't want to lose you."

Yuna looked up into Tidus' deep blue eyes and cried. Tidus lowered his head and rubbed his nose against Yuna's cheek until she stopped crying. He brushed his lips against hers and pulled back to look at her.

"No matter what Yuna, I'll be right by your side the whole way" he whispered. She exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding and he kissed her. His lips pressed against hers firmly to show her that he was serious. After a second, Tidus started to caress her lips with his and Yuna responded by kissing him back. Their kisses started to become more feverish and demanding and Yuna felt her body start to respond to his.

Tidus pulled back suddenly and held her head in his hands. "Yuna!" He gasped, "I need you to promise me something!"

She looked at him in surprise. "What?"

"You'll let me try to find another way. I promise I will try my hardest and Rikku too! We won't let you die!"

Yuna smiled at him and nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you if you find another way!"

Tidus grinned and kissed her again.

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Kimahri was sitting peacefully by the fire when Yuna, Tidus, Auron, and Rikku returned. He had been by himself for a while as Wakka and Lulu slept. He looked up at his travel companions and nodded.

"Good. Kimahri watch over. Now all four friends watch Kimahri while Kimahri sleep." With that, the Ronso stood and walked over to a bed roll and fell onto it. Yuna and Rikku stifled a giggle and both walked over to the Ronso.

"Night Kimahri!" Rikku smiled as she hugged his neck. Yuna laughed and hugged Kimahri too. "Goodnight!"

They released the guardian and climbed into their own bedrolls. Tidus and Auron looked at each other and Tidus stuck out his fist.

"What?" the older man asked.

"Rock, paper, scissors! Let's go!" Tidus explained.

"I prefer a different game." Auron said cooly.

"Oh yeah?" Tidus challenged.

"Yeah" Auron punched Tidus firmly on the shoulder, "Tag. Your it."

"What!" Tidus said as Rikku and Yuna laughed. Auron chuckled and took the bed roll next to Rikku.

"Hey! What's your problem!" Wakka asked, sitting up and glaring at Tidus.

"Oops! Hey Wakka, how long you been sleeping?" Tidus asked.

"Umm..."

"Five and one half hours" Kimahri answered.

"Hey! Your turn for watch!" Tidus yelled as he flopped down next to Yuna.

"Man...fine." He stood up and walked over to the fire. He eyed everyone's neat bed rolls in suspicion.

"Hey! Are you all just getting to bed? Were you in the woods all this time? What could you possibly be doing in the woods for five hours!"

No one answered, but they all smiled into their pillows.

Telling Yuna I'm going to find a way to save her...and making out with her! Tidus thought.

Crying, thinking, kissing Tidus, Yuna remembered.

Making up (and making out) with Auron, Rikku smiled.

Figuring out that I'm not as dead as I thought I was, Went through Auron's head.

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They woke up ready to leave the woods and get out into the fresh open air of the calm lands. Everyone walked the short distance to the fields and breathed in relief. Tidus, Yuna, and Rikku ran forward and threw themselves on the ground. Everyone else took a more subtle approach and just sighed as the wind blew through their hair, or fur, or tried to penetrate the hair gel.

"Let's get a little more of Bevelle behind us. We can rest further into the Calm Lands." Auron said. Everyone nodded and started walking. Rikku and Yuna walked together talking lightly.

"Okay Rikku, let's talk later. I want to ask Auron for advice." Yuna told her cousin. Rikku nodded and bounced back to Tidus and pulled him to the side.

"Tidus! We have to talk!" she whispered.

"I know. We're almost there aren't we?" he asked.

Rikku nodded. It was hard to believe these sunny, calm plains were a harbinger to what was to come ahead. "Yeah, and I haven't thought of anything."

"Me neither. Did you talk to Auron" he asked.

"Yeah, but he won't tell me anything. He said he doesn't want Yuna to die, but it's not up to him. He says it's up to her to make that decision and it will happen in Zanarkand."

"Hmm...why would he say that unless..."

"Something happens in Zanarkand that could change Yuna's mind?" Rikku finished for him.

"Exactly!" Tidus agreed. "That's fine and all, but it's not really definite."

"I know what you mean. I trust Auron but we need a backup plan" Rikku suggested.

"Just what I was...wait, you trust Auron? I never thought I would here those words!" Tidus said in mock shock.

"Yeah well..." Rikku didn't know what to say. "He makes sense most of the time"

"Ah, the sunny Al-Bhed genius and the gruff ex-warrior monk are agreeing with each other. We must alert everyone that the apocalypse has arrived!"

"Hey! That's not nice!" Rikku laughed. "He's just...different once you get to know him"

"Wait a second, do you like him Rikku!" Tidus asked.

Rikku didn't answer quickly enough and blushed a little too soon.

"HOLY CRA-" Tidus screamed out as Rikku tried to put her hands over his mouth.

"Shhhh! What is wrong with you? Quiet!" She whispered.

"Does he know? Did you tell him?" Rikku nodded and briefly told Tidus what happened in the woods.

"Wow. I just though it was a crush you had. But he actually said that he loves you?" He asked and Rikku nodded.

"That's awesome Rikku. I'm happy for you! And I'll pretend like I don't know okay?"

"Thanks Tidus! Now about this back up plan..."

Auron was waiting for Yuna to talk. She had been walking next to him for more than ten minutes and had not said a word. The only break in the silence was when she gasped when Tidus started screaming behind them.

Finally, Yuna looked up at him. "Sir Auron I need to ask you something, and I don't know if I want to know the answer, but I just have to ask."

Auron nodded, curious about her question.

"Did...my father ever want to ...quit his pilgrimage?'

"No"

"Oh"

"Yuna, your father was set in his decision to face Sin the moment your mother died. He was fighting for you to have a chance to live as well as his friends and all of Spira. He did not see the corruption in Bevelle during his pilgrimage. He wold not listen to anyone who old him to stop."

"Someone told him to stop?" Yuna asked.

"Yes, I did" Auron admitted.

"Auron, did you believe that there was another way?" she asked.

"I must not tell you Yuna. You must find out for yourself. I apologize."

"That's okay. Thank you." Auron watched her walk up next to Tidus and take his arm. Auron looked at the ground and shook his head and when her lifted his head, Rikku was at his side.

"Hi!" she said.

"Hello" he smiled. They left it at that and just walked together for a while. Rikku really wanted to ask how he died and why he was still here but she was sure he wouldn't tell her yet.

"Rikku?" Auron said after a long pause.

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to say, about last night, I don't want to hold you to anything."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Rikku, I want you to think about what your doing. I do not belong in this world and I worry leaving you here with a broken heart." he admitted.

Rikku took his hand and stepped closer to him. She looked up at him and smiled. "Do you want to hear a story Auron?"

He blinked at the odd question. "Okay"

"Once upon a time, in a far away land..."

"Rikku" he warned.

"Shhh! Just listen! Anyway, in a far away land, lived a cute girl. This girl once had a little cactaur doll. She loved this doll so very much. They played together and were best friends for years. Then one day, the girl's father told her he was going to take the doll away one day because she was getting to old for it. She lived in fear of that day for a while, but soon realized she could do nothing to change it. The only thing she could do was enjoy her doll for as long as she could."

"Then the day came. Her father took away her friend, and even though she knew it was coming, the little girl cried and cried and cried. She was sad for days. After a few days her father came to her. He said "Why are you crying? I told you I was going to take the doll."

"The little girl nodded and answered. "That doesn't make it hurt any less." The father understood but he asked. "Why didn't you put the doll away when I warned you? You wouldn't be so sad right now because you would have time to get over it." And do you know what the little girl said Auron?"

Auron stopped and look down at her shaking his head.

"I said to my dad, "Dad, don't you understand. I loved that doll. Just because you took I away doesn't change that fact that I will always love it. I would have still been sad if I had put it away on the day you told me you were going to take it."

"Then my dad tried to give me a bunch of toys to make up for taking my doll, but I never loved any of them as much as that doll." Rikku finished.

Auron sighed and pulled her into a hug. "Why do you waste your time on me Rikku?"

She smiled up at him. "Because you were cheated of a lot of things and because you deserve to experience them all and because I love you."

Auron smirked and leaned down and kissed her. Rikku stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him right back. They pulled apart after a few blissful moments.

"Ahem..."

Rikku and Auron turned to see everyone else staring at them. Rikku blushed and Auron pulled her to him to hide her from their friends stares.

"What?" Auron asked. "Keep moving. No time to waste!"

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A/N: yeah. That's done..okay so I left plot hints in the shout out's so you will know what to expect. I'll update soon.

P.S: I want to apologize to everyone for not reviewing to much lately! Some of you are writing great stuff and I'm slacking! Will work on it:)